St Duthac Book and Arts Festival Welcomes Back Popular Author.
The first author in this year’s St Duthac Book and Arts Festival line up has been announced.
The Ross-shire event is to welcome back popular author Jess Smith to its schedule of events.
Smith, who also appeared at the Festival in 2022, is the author of six books often dealing with the traveller community.
Jess has written an autobiographical trio – ‘Jessie’s Journey’, ‘Tales from the Tent’ and ‘Tears for a Tinker’ – as well as ‘Sookin’ Berries’, a collection of stories aimed at younger readers, a novel (‘Bruar’s Rest’) and a more sociological study of the traveller community, ‘Way of the Wanderers’.
Chairperson Frances Wood made the announcement of Smith’s return at the Book and Arts Festival’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
She said:
“We are delighted to announce the welcome return of Jess Smith to this year’s programme.
“I know how valued her first appearance was, and we are all looking forward to hearing more of her stories from the world of the traveller community.”
Jess Smith will be appearing on the 9th of September at 19:30 in the Tain Golf Club.
Also announced at the AGM, was the rare opportunity to join a walk through the Balnagown estate.
A highly informative talk about the history of the Rosses of Balnagown was delivered by Jason Ubych in his usual enthusiastic style and Catherine Williams, who told stories about the more recent times on the Estate, including the environmental work being undertaken to protect rare butterflies.
Visitors enjoyed seeing the well cut into the rock face and walking across the bridges to reach the island in the pond.
The afternoon rain did not dampen spirits, and the resounding request at the end of the day was “More Please”.
Thanks go Balnagown Estate, to Jason Ubych of Tain and District Museum and to the band of volunteers from St Duthac Book and Arts Festival for organising the walk and providing excellent teas in the beautiful old barn.
