WHAT Rab C. Nesbitt, Scotland’s vest-wearing philosopher, would make of his wife, Mary Doll, stripping off in public, goodness only knows.
But next week, Inverness audiences will find out what Mary Doll, aka Elaine C. Smith, the much-loved actress and entertainer who played Rab’s sparky but downtrodden TV wife, thought as she prepared to bare all in the stage show Calendar Girls.
The multitalented Elaine is one of the stars appearing at the Inverness Book Festival, which runs from Monday, October 5, until Saturday, October 10.
Her heartwarming and candid biography, Nothing Like a Dame, goes on sale today, and Highland audiences will be among the first to hear her read extracts from the book, which reflects a 50-year journey that took her from being a lippy wee lassie brought up in a mining village, to being a household name across Britain.
Audiences can expect an emotional ride, as an evening with Elaine will swing from moments of hilarity to moments which are deeply sad – exactly what you would expect from this wonderful performer.
But she is just one of several high-profile women making an appearance at the festival, which is now in its sixth year and directed for the first time by Brid McKibben.
Among them is singer Barbara Dickson, food and drink writers Nell Nelson and Carol Drinkwater, pop star and actress Clare Grogan and novelist Katie Fforde.
And with the appointment of a new director came a new approach and a new direction.
Brid said: “What I’ve tried to do with the programme is reflect what I know people in Inverness read, whether that’s borrowing from libraries are buying from shops, and for that reason the festival involves more non-fiction that we’ve had in the past.”
The programme includes sessions and workshops relating to the environment, history, poetry, storytelling, cooking and outdoor activities, with plenty of child-friendly events thrown in for good measure.
But it’s not all sweetness and light: the flavour of the festival has been seasoned with a good helping of crime.
Brid revealed her first major signing was master crime-writer and creator of the multimillion-selling Rebus series of novels, Ian Rankin.
Ian will take part in a solo event, and will also appear as part of a crime author panel alongside Alex Grey and Aberdeen-based writer Stuart MacBride.
“My personal highlights include the three-city crime panel, with the authors writing about crime in their own cities,” said Brid.
“You never know, this may just lead to a contemporary Inverness crime fiction coming out.
“I’m particularly thrilled about getting Ian Rankin, who holidays in the area and has tried to attend previous festivals.
“He has been very generous with his time and we are very excited about having him here.”
With her experience of working in bookshops, Brid was in the ideal position to choose authors which reflect the type of books popular with local people.
“When I worked in retail, it seemed that just about everybody in the Highlands bought books about walks or walking, so I’m particularly delighted to have a walking panel with John Allen and Craig Weldon, who will discuss their different approaches to spending time in Scotland’s remote areas.”
The festival’s “something for all” programme has plenty of children’s events taking place, ranging from storytelling sessions suitable for eight to 12-year-olds with Lari Don to a visit from Clare Grogan who, last year, published her first book, Tullullah and the Teenstars.
Edinburgh-based author and illustrator Julie Hegarty promises to transport children and adults to a whole new world with her lively show which includes puppets and lots of audience participation.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, October 10, a whole day of family storytelling sessions will take place in the Jim Love Studio within the theatre.
The programme also includes active workshops and discussion groups – and there’s even a pub quiz.
For full details contact Eden Court Box Office on 01463 234234 or visit the websites, www.inverness bookfestival.co.uk or www.eden-court.co.uk