There is always a lot going on here at North House Press and we try our best to keep this page up to date, but are not always great at remembering to constantly update this part of our website. If this page is looking a bit old and tired, then do email us at the addresses listed in our contacts page and we’ll be sure to get back to you.
Upcoming Events...
Monday 10th August
Piping Live: A Cartography of Piobaireachd: Literature and Landscape in the Music of the Pipes
We’re delighted to be part of the opening session of the Piping Live Festival, where Kirsty and David will join Pibroch Network hosts Barnaby Brown and Josh Dickson.
The session will feature beautiful performances of pibroch by talented piper Eala McElhinney, as well as a panel discussion and readings from the works of Neil Gunn, highlighting the timeless value of remote places and their expression in both literature and traditional music. In Kirsty’s own words, we will explore how pibroch evokes an ‘ancient sense of being at the centre of the world, rather than remote from it: making the periphery central and valued’.
For more details and festival tickets, click here.
The Bothy Stage, The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater St, Glasgow G4 0HW
12:30pm
Friday 14th August
Kyle of Sutherland Book Fair
Organised by Kyle of Sutherland Books & Arts as part of Kyle of Sutherland Gala Week, this fantastic event promises a day of books, conversation and literary discovery.
There will be author readings, a pop-up café, and a talk from North House Press on publishing. You'll also be able to browse and purchase our Neil Gunn editions, alongside a great selection of books and authors from other places.
Ardgay Public Hall Carron Place Ardgay, Sutherland IV24 3BQ
10:00am - 2:30pm
Tuesday 25th August
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Alan Riach, James Robertson and Kirsty Gunn revisit the Scottish Renaissance through the work of Hugh MacDiarmid and Neil Gunn as well as other under-sung voices including Willa Muir and Helen Cruickshank. A deep dive into a remarkable literary moment and the writers who helped reshape Scotland’s imaginative life. Chaired by Linden Bicket.
Find out more and purchase tickets here.
Courtyard Theatre, Courtyard Theatre, Edinburgh Futures Institute, Lauriston Place, EH3 9EF
12:15pm - 1:15pm
Sunday 30th August
A Neil Gunn Talk from North House Press at Dingwall 800
We're delighted to be taking part in Dingwall 800, the year-long programme marking 800 years since Dingwall became a Royal Burgh. The celebrations honour the town's rich history, its vibrant present, and its hopes for the future.
Neil Gunn's connection to Dingwall runs deep, from his home in the town to his final resting place and the monument that stands nearby in his memory. We'll be exploring these connections, alongside the life, legacy and enduring relevance of one of the Highlands' most celebrated writers.
Find out more and register via Eventbrite, here.
Robertson House, Greenhill St, Dingwall IV15 9JQ
10:30am - 11:30am
29th August - 6th September
Nairn Book & Arts Festival
David Graham chairs a panel discussion with acclaimed poet and academic Alan Riach, and best-selling author and journalist Alan Taylor for a fascinating panel discussion about Gunn, his writing and its connection to the people and landscape of the Highlands
Friday 4th September
Creative Reading and Writing Workshop: Landscape and Place - Kirsty will also be leading a creative reading and writing workshop, The theme of the workshop will be ‘Landscape and Place'
An immersive, highly creative workshop that will have you thinking again about where you live and how to make the kind of writing that rises out of the places that are all around us.
Bring pens, paper and be prepared to be inspired.
Find out more and book your place here.
Conference Room, Nairn Community & Arts Centre, Nairn, IV12 4BQ
10:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday 17th September
A Year in Water by Beth McDonough - Book Launch Event at The Bookhouse, Broughty Ferry
This fantastic evening will feature readings from A Year in Water from author Beth McDonough and a Q&A session with the wonderful poet and passionate outdoor swimmer Karen McFarlane, who will also share some of her own beautiful poems on the theme of water. There will also be live music from musicians Mary Veal and Mo Miller. It's sure to be an evening full of local talent and a shared passion for the water!
The Bookhouse, 41 Gray St, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2BJ
7:30pm
North House Press News...
Some kind Words on North House Press from Shona MacLean
At the Neil Gunn Writing Competition, we were delighted to meet the wonderful Shona MacLean, author of The Bookseller of Inverness, which was awarded Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year in 2023.
It was a pleasure to hear Shona speak so warmly about the work of North House Press and our mission to bring Highland stories to new audiences. She shared these generous words:
"One of the most exciting developments in Scottish publishing of recent times must be the establishment in Sutherland this year of North House Press, and I don’t think the founders could have picked a better time to re-introduce Gunn’s writing to a wider reading public."
The support we have received over these past few months means a great deal to us as we continue to celebrate and share the literary heritage of the Highlands.
Neil Gunn Writing Competition 2026
Thursday 18th June
Dingwall Town Hall
It was a delight to attend the Neil Gunn Writing Competition in Dingwall. This competition, organised by the Neil Gunn Trust in partnership with High Life Highland, is open to writers of all ages and abilities and provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wealth of literary talent across the Highlands.
It was a pleasure to meet so many passionate writers, hear about their ideas and ambitions, and celebrate the creativity that continues to thrive in our communities. We look forward to seeing where their writing journeys take them next.
Find out more about the competition and this year's winners, here.
North House Press stand and presentation at Rogart Gala
Saturday 6th June 2026
Corry Meadow, Rogart
We had a great afternoon at Rogart Gala, meeting so many new faces and sharing what we have been up to at North House Press. It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm for the history, heritage and stories of the North Highlands right here on our doorstep, and to see such a shared passion for the place we call home.
Official Launch of North House Press - Neil Gunn Celebration and Party!
Thursday 21st May 2026
Dornoch Bookshop
What an evening at the official launch event for North House Press! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us. It was a fantastic evening, filled with wonderful conversation, shared enthusiasm for Neil Gunn, and excitement for the future of NHP.
A special thank you to Dornoch Bookshop for their warm hospitality, and to David from The Carnegie Whisky Cellars for keeping everyone’s glasses topped up throughout the evening.
We’re so grateful to everyone who came along to celebrate this exciting new chapter with us.
Coming Home to the Highlands: Bringing back the Legacy and Heritage of Neil Gunn
Saturday 2nd May 2026
Timespan, Helmsdale
A fantastic event at Timespan, Helmsdale celebrating the launch of the Neil Gunn titles The Grey Coast, The Serpent, and Blood Hunt. The event was followed by a creative writing workshop led by Kirsty, exploring how the incredible northern coastal landscapes of the Highlands can inspire storytelling, just as they did in Neil Gunn’s work.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and shared such thoughtful and inspiring ideas throughout the day.
Where Did We Come From?
Wednesday 29th April 2026
The Nucleus Centre, Wick
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Nucleus Centre in Wick for this fascinating evening exploring themes of evolution, ancestry, landscape and storytelling. Featuring author readings, music, and a Q&A with Cynthia Rogerson, Kirsty Gunn, David Graham and Alpha Munro, the event brought together history, literature and conversation in a truly memorable way.
The evening also included Common Ground - The Shared Literary Landscapes of Neil Gunn and Kirsty Gunn, exploring how, although not related by family, Neil and Kirsty share a deep connection to the landscapes of the Northern Highlands, which is something powerfully reflected throughout their writing.
A superb evening of history, music and literature.
"How to Get Published”: An Evening of Creative Writing, Publishing Discussion, and more
Thursday 23rd April 2026
The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
We had a fantastic evening at our first Creative Writing Workshop at the Ceilidh Place in Ullapool, exploring the creativity behind Neil Gunn’s work and following in his Highland-inspired footsteps. It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved in creating poetry, stories and non-fiction pieces inspired by the landscapes and surroundings around us.
The evening also offered guidance on how writers can begin developing their work for publication, with discussion around preparing pieces for publishers, literary agents and other literary opportunities.
What a brilliant showcase of creativity, storytelling and inspiration.
Creative Conversations
Monday 20th April 2026
University of Glasgow
It was fantastic to be joined by Professor Alan Riach, poet Rory Watson and Imagined Spaces Editor and Writer Gail Low for a panel presentation as part of Creative Conversations at the University of Glasgow.
The presentation included a consideration of Neil Gunn’s novels, a poetry reading and discussion of the importance of independent publishing and small presses.
North House Press in association with poet Rory Watson
Wednesday 8th April 2026
Central Library, Stirling
A superb evening of readings and conversation about independent publishing, writing local and celebrating Scottish literature. We were delighted to be joined by poet Rory Watson at this event in Stirling.
North House Press Guest Lecture at The University of Dundee
Wednesday 25th March 2026
University of Dundee
An engaging guest lecture delivered by David at the University of Dundee exploring the founding and development of North House Press. The session offered insight into the process of establishing an independent publishing company, from shaping a vision to bringing books to publication.
It was incredibly rewarding to share guidance, experience and inspiration with students and aspiring professionals interested in working within the publishing industry.
Thursday 29th January
“Local Voices, Local Lives” An Evening of Poetry and Publishing
Thursday 29th January 2026
Lairg Library
We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us at our Local Voices, Local Lives event in Lairg, our first North House Press event! It was a wonderful evening full of community spirit and a shared appreciation of how special the North Highlands and its people are, and how this can inspire such fantastic art.
A massive thanks to Cáit O’Neill McCullagh for sharing her beautiful poetry, and to Lairg Library for hosting us. Events like this really highlight how deeply literature is woven into our culture, and how it can be used to share our unique heritage with the wider world.
We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead with more events like this.
