LITERATURE & THEATRE TRAVEL GUIDE
FOR BOOKWORMS & THEATRE LOVERS
Scotland is a small nation, but it makes its presence known on the literary stage. Not only has it been home to some of history’s greatest creatives, but hosts both the Edinburgh international Book Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August every year.
The country’s landscapes transport you to another world with its history and beauty. Stepping into the highlands is like stepping into a fairytale world. It’s nature and people has inspired some of the world's favourite literature and theatre.
Few places blur the line between page and stage quite like Scotland. Cities of towering spires, hidden closes and centuries of storytelling, it has long inspired writers, playwrights and performers, and continues to do so today.
DFH RECOMMENDS
THE EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL
Each August, the city transforms into a global cultural capital. The Edinburgh International Book Festival brings together leading voices in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and politics for two weeks of conversation, debate and discovery. Set against the backdrop of this historic city, it offers the rare chance to hear directly from the minds behind the books, whether you’re attending intimate readings or thought-provoking panel discussions.
THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL
At the same time, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes over the city. The world’s largest performing arts festival, the Fringe is an explosion of creativity, where grand theatres, historic halls and even the smallest hidden venues host everything from cutting-edge drama and comedy to cabaret, musicals and experimental performance. It’s a place where established names share the stage with emerging talent, and where every corner of the city feels alive with possibility.
BEYOND FESTIVALS
Beyond the festivals, Edinburgh’s literary spirit is ever-present. Walk the cobbled streets as you explore the origins of Harry Potter, or enjoy the ambience of the National Library.
For those drawn to theatre year-round, the city offers an exceptional programme beyond August. Venues such as the Festival Theatre and Traverse Theatre stage everything from classic productions to bold new writing, ensuring there is always a performance worth experiencing.
Between events and performances, take time to slow down, find a quiet corner in a traditional café, order a coffee, and lose yourself in a novel set against the landscapes you’re exploring. In Edinburgh, stories are not confined to books or stages; they are woven into the fabric of the city.
For book and theatre lovers, this is more than a destination, it’s an experience of living storytelling, where every street, voice and performance invites you to become part of Scotland’s ever-evolving narrative.
TO COMPLIMENT YOUR TRIP
VISIT THE WRITERS’ MUSEUM
Writers’ Museum celebrates the lives of three towering figures in Scottish literature—Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Their stories are brought to life through a rich collection of personal belongings, portraits, manuscripts, and rare first editions.
Highlights include the printing press used for Scott’s famous Waverley novels, intimate portraits of Burns, and Stevenson’s own fishing rod and smoking pipe. Visitors can also explore a detailed scale model of the Scott Monument, alongside insights into its design and architect, George Meikle Kemp. Whether familiar with their works or not, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives behind Scotland’s literary legacy.
STAY OVERNIGHT AND RUN YOUR OWN BOOKSHOP
Be the main character in your own literary escape and stay at The Open Book offers the chance to live out the dream of running your own bookshop by the sea.
Set in Scotland’s National Book Town of Wigtown, the bookshop and apartment is the ultimate book lover's dream. A charming coastal town where you get a taste of curating shelves, welcoming visitors and immersing yourself in the rhythm of a true independent bookshop.
WATCH BARD IN THE BOTANICS
Scotland’s biggest Shakespeare festival, set within the backdrop of Glasgow’s botanical gardens.
VISIT A CONVERTED CHURCH FOR A PLAY, A PIE AND A PIE
Across the street from the botanics, you’ll find the Oran Mor, where each afternoon they put on an afternoon show where you’ll enjoy a pint of Glasgow’s finest and a pie while you enjoy a piece of theatre.