The complete line-up to this year’s Boswell Book Festival has been announced.

The world’s only book festival dedicated to biography and memoir returns live to Dumfries House from May 13-15. Named in honour of the great biographer James Boswell, the first festival was in 2011.

Following the success of last year’s online festival with guests and audiences from around the globe, many of this year’s events will also be live streamed.

Kicking off the festival on Friday, May 13 will be The Accidental Footballer, Pat Nevin who despite having 28 caps for Scotland had never intended making chasing a ball as his career.

On home turf, composer, James MacMillan and writer, Andrew O’Hagan, will discuss the impact that their Ayrshire roots have had on their creativity. They will be in conversation with Ayrshire’s Kirsty Wark. While Alexis Fleming, brought up in Kilmarnock will tell her inspiring story of the founding of the world’s first animal hospice.

The Schools and Children’s Festival under the curatorship of Janet Smyth will be launched on 9th May. The activities for children and families this year will make the most of the beautiful gardens of Dumfries House with Macastory and their storytelling walks, a search for untold stories with actor Rosalind Sydney, join the Happiness Collectors to gather all that makes us feel uplifted and learn all about carbon capture in water, soil and plants with the Dumfries House Education Team. In addition Scottish children’s authors Vivian French, Debi Gliori, Theresa Breslin and Kate Leiper will delight with talks and workshops exploring everything including moles speaking Scots, history, nature, fairytales and legends, cats, queens and castles.

Caroline Knox, Director of the Boswell Book Festival says: “It’s truly exciting to be back after three years in front of audiences at Dumfries House as well as now being able to offer many events online.

“As always we present a stimulating, some might say quirky range of life stories which will reveal fascinating personalities, with new takes on the challenges and joys of both the everyday and the world stage.

“With the needs of younger readers in mind, we are also staging a live and online festival for Schools and Children full of amazing stories and with all ages catered for we can guarantee an immersive weekend of entertainment for everyone.”

Katalina Watt, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland added: “It is a pleasure to be able to continue to support the Boswell Book Festival and its bringing together of authors and readers.

As the world’s only festival of biography and memoir, it’s wonderful to see this year’s programme take a hybrid format after the success of last year’s digital offering, allowing both local and international audiences to enjoy the events.”

Full programme available at www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk