Ill health forces writer William McIlvanney to cancel Blairgowrie Bookmark Festival appearance
ByJamie Buchan
William McIlvanney.
A leading crime writer dubbed the Godfather of Tartan Noir has been forced to pull out of this weekend’s Blairgowrie book festival due to ill health.
William McIlvanney was scheduled to speak about his long writing career and his celebrated creation, DI Jack Laidlaw, the gumshoe often credited as busting the doors open for the likes of Rebus and Taggart.
However, organisers of the Bookmark Festival confirmed that the 78-year-old will not be able to attend his sell-out Saturday morning show.
Glaswegian thriller writer Alex Gray, famous for her Chief Inspector Lorimer series, has agreed to step in.
A spokeswoman for Bookmark said: “Sadly, William McIlvanney has had to cancel his sold-out event because of ill health. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.”
She said that anyone with a ticket for the McIlvanney session can use it to see Gray or claim a cash refund from the festival’s box office in Blairgowrie High Street.
The festival now in its third year boasts a line-up of high-profile authors. Most events will be held at the Royal Hotel throughout Saturday, with a programme of children’s events at St Catherine’s Centre.
