Latest News
We were saddened to learn of the death of George earlier this month.
George, along with his wife Alison, took a leap of faith around 1990 to open a bookshop in Nairn. Initially it was Alison who ran the shop day to day. When Alison decided she wanted to return to University, George took early retirement and came in to take over the day to day running of the Bookshop.
It was in April 2004 that George and Alison came up with the idea of organising a book festival. Six weeks later, in June, Nairn’s first Book Festival took place. The idea was to provide a catalyst for growth in High Street business, whilst at the same time promoting local and national talent, and to entertain Nairn.
George and Alison, along with others, helped set up the charitable company for the Festival, but after a few years they decided to step back allowing for fresh ideas and new volunteers to take the Festival forward.
George and Alison sold the Bookshop to the current owner, Mavis Macdonald, early July 2009.
Sixteen Festivals later, the current committee and the people of Nairn are indebted to George and Alison for having the imagination and confidence in 2004 that has given us today’s Nairn Book & Arts Festival. We think it is fair to say that George’s vision - ‘The idea was to provide a catalyst for growth in High Street business, whilst at the same time promoting local and national talent, and to entertain Nairn.’ is still relevant today.
The committee have taken the decision that the 2020 Festival will be dedicated to George.
May the holiday season end the present year on a cheerful note & make way for a New Year full of imagination, stories & creativity.
Merry Christmas
The Nairn Book & Arts Festival
Sponsors
