Children from throughout the Highlands created a big frieze of colourful characters as part of the first event in this year’s Inverness Book Festival.
Youngsters from the Moray Firth School, outside Inverness, and Rosehall Primary and Altnaharra Primary, both in Sutherland, painted pictures of butterflies, worms and flowers during the Itchy Coo workshop at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, yesterday morning.
The frieze created during the session, led by authors James Robertson and Karen Sutherland, is on display in the theatre’s foyer. Elsewhere in the theatre, youngsters took part in a Rhymetime workshop with a team from the Bookstart programme, which aims to inspire parents and carers to enjoy books with their children.
This year’s Inverness Book Festival runs until Saturday.
Last night singing star Barbara Dickson was the main attraction.
Her autobiography has just been published, telling the story of her successful international career.
Today will see an appearance by Scotland’s top crime writer Ian Rankin, famous for his series of Inspector Rebus books.
As well as talking about his work from 6.30pm, Mr Rankin will take part in a “city crime panel” with two other crime writers, Alex Gray and Stuart MacBride later in the evening.
Also today, the poet Tom Pow will lead aspiring poets in a workshop, before appearing in an evening event.
Tickets are still on sale for festival events.
They can be bought from Eden Court’s box office in person, by phone on 01463 234234, or online at www.eden-court.co.uk
Two Scottish authors, James Robertson and Barry Hutchison, are visiting Caol Primary School, near Fort William, to help celebrate its Book Week.
Mr Robertson, who will be at the school today, is part of the Itchy Coo Scots group, whose books include Eejits and the Sleekit Mr Tod, adapted from Roald Dahl.
It will be an extra special occasion on Thursday and Friday for Barry Hutchison, who is a former pupil and well-known for his local works, including Ben 10.
