ONE of Scotland’s leading crime writers, Denise Mina, is used to putting her fans through the wringer.
But it was her turn to feel the chill when she visited Edinburgh Castle to research a story.
She said: “My pal and I were given a behind-the-scenes tour to all the parts visitors don’t see, like John Maclean’s cell, wooden walkways above a sheer cliff and toilets that soldiers used which had an 80ft drop.
“It felt like a real honour and privilege that we got to see it.
“The guide also took us to David’s Tower, which is the oldest part of the castle.
“We went down this shoogly 50ft staircase. He told us it was safe but it was swinging.
“I’m not great with heights and I wanted to stop half way down and start crying. It was like gripping on to a cliff face.”
Denise, from Glasgow, was one of 12 Tartan Noir authors asked to write a story set in an iconic Scottish location for new book, Bloody Scotland.
Stratford-on-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi has been named on the panel for this week’s edition of BBC Question Time.
Mr Zahawi will appear alongside shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry, former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, crime writer Val McDermid and assistant editor of the Spectator and Sun newspaper columnist Rod Liddle.
The programme, which is presented by David Dimbleby, will be broadcast live from Newcastle at 10.45pm on Thursday, 16th November.
Mr Zahawi has appeared twice before on the program in March 2014 and October 2015.
BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND has announced its first-ever Virtual Week.
Taking place from 27 November to 3 December, the week will be packed with free, varied digital events.
The Virtual Festival will kick off with Crime Writers Play Cluedo on Monday 27 November.
Revellers can watch bestselling authors Val McDermid, Stuart MacBride and Doug Johnstone pit their knowledge of the criminal mind against each other.
The writers will also discuss their own plots and favourite ‘whodunits’.
Highlights of the programme also include a live Q&A with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon all about her love of reading, taking place on Tuesday 28th November.
Members of the public can submit their questions via Book Week Scotland’s (@BookWeekScot) Twitter. Follow the Q&A by searching for #FMBookChat.
