Our Groups
Open Book’s current groups across Scotland:
Public Groups
Images & Words Group (Online)
Off the Beaten Track Groups (Online)
Open Groups (Online)
Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
Stills Gallery, Edinburgh
Millennium Centre, Stranraer
Play Reading Group (Online)
The Open Door Café, Morningside, Edinburgh
Well Versed Groups (Online)
Multicultural Groups
Aberdeen ESOL Group
POC (Person of Colour) Group (Online)
Maryhill Integration Network, Glasgow
International Women’s Friendship Group, Edinburgh
Shakti Women’s Aid, Edinburgh
Prisons
HMP Addiewell
HMP Barlinnie
HMP Dumfries
HMP Glenochil
HMP Greenock
HMP Kilmarnock
HMP Low Moss
HMP Shotts
HMPYOI Polmont
Associated
Groups (on Hold)
Deaf Action Scotland, Edinburgh
Rowan Alba, Edinburgh
Lorne Primary School, Edinburgh
St Columba’s Lunch Club, Edinburgh
Leuchie House, North Berwick
Libraries
A K Bell Library, Perth
Arbroath Library
Carnegie Library, Ayr
Blackness Library, Dundee
Dunbar Library
Eyemouth Library
Glasgow Women’s Library
National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
North Inch Library, Perth
Paisley Library
Troon Library
Ullapool Library
Greenock Library
Health Related Groups
Astley Ainslie Rehabilitation Unit, Edinburgh (On Hold)
Eric Liddell Centre, Edinburgh
Leith Community Treatment Centre, Edinburgh (On Hold)
Maggie’s Centre, Edinburgh (On Hold)
St Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie (On Hold)
Islands and Villages Groups
Aberfeldy Group
Brora Learning Zone
Coigach Group
Cumbrae Group
Kirkwall Library, Orkney
Portree Library, Isle of Skye
Shetland Group (Online)
Uist Group
Community Groups
Bethany Christian Trust, Edinburgh
Dower House, Corstorphine, Edinburgh
Grassmarket Community Project, Edinburgh
Inverness Women’s Aid (On Hold)
LGBT Health and Wellbeing, Edinburgh
Next Chapters Groups, Dumfries & Galloway
Letham Community Group, Perth
Writing Sense (for those with Visual Impairments)
Sheltered Housing/Care Homes
Briery Park, Thornhill
Croft na Righ, Edinburgh
Daar Lodge, Kirkcudbright
Dryfemount, Lockerbie
Nigel Henderson Court, Sanquhar
Other Languages
Scots Groups (Online)
Gaelic Groups (Online)
Arabic Groups (Online & In-Person at Maryhill Integration Network, Glasgow)
Literary Events
Granite Noir (February)
Granite Noir is an Aberdeen-based festival inspired by the incredible popularity of crime fiction in all its forms, by the fantastic contribution that Scottish writers make and by our love affair with Nordic Noir. In 2020, our Aberdeen group is off to enjoy An Evening with Sara Paretsky.
Paisley Book Festival (February)
A relative newcomer to the Scottish book festival scene, Paisley Book Festival began in 2020 and has fast gained a reputation for engaging with radical ideas and inspiring creativity, featuring some of Scotland’s top writing talent. Our Paisley shared reading and creative writing groups are involved in the festival annually, and have even run their own Open Mic night.
StAnza International Poetry Festival (March)
StAnza is a haven for poetry lovers everywhere, brimming with readings, exhibitions and installations from some of the most exciting poets writing today. Set in the stunning coastal Fife town of St Andrews, our Dundee groups are looking forward to a day trip full of inspirational verses.
Ullapool Book Festival (May)
Ullapool Book Festival has been going since May 2005, founded by a group of literary enthusiasts and including work written in Gaelic and Scots. Taking place over a weekend, this festival showcases the importance of literature in Highland culture and life, and this year will host a visit from our Ullapool group.
St Magnus International Festival (June)
St Magnus International Festival is Orkney’s annual celebration of the arts. Founded in 1977, the Festival has grown from small beginnings into one of Britain’s most highly regarded and adventurous arts events. Though musical events are at the heart of the artistic programme, the Festival also encompasses drama, dance, literature and the visual arts.
Edinburgh International Book Festival (August)
The largest of its kind, Edinburgh International Book Festival welcomes approximately 250,000 visitors every year during the August festival season to enjoy over 900 events with some of the best authors from across the globe. Many of our group members attend events at Edinburgh Book Festival (either in person or online) each year.
Wigtown Book Festival (September-October)
Words flourish in few places as they do in Scotland’s National Book Town. Wigtown is home to a community of booksellers and literary events, and their autumnal annual book festival is the culmination of that activity. 10 of our groups headed to Wigtown in 2019 and we’re hoping for even more in 2020.
