Become a Book Town Friend
We believe that a community of books changes lives and that by becoming a friend of Wigtown Book Town you can too.
In the early 1990s Wigtown was at its lowest ebb but when the opportunity to transform the social, economic and cultural agenda arose, the community gave all it had to win over the panel of international judges and become Scotland’s National Book Town.
More than a quarter of a century and 303,625 visitors later, our town
built on books welcomes world-class authors, supports local and
developing writers and inspires the readers and leaders of the future.
We’re excited about the possibilities - the stories yet untold - and
hope that by becoming a Friend of Wigtown Book Town you can help us
write the next chapter, and enjoy special treatment at the annual
Wigtown Book Festival along the way.
As a Book Town Friend
for £40 a year, you will receive:
- Priority free mailing of the festival brochure
- 48 hours priority booking before the public launch
- An invitation to the programme launch
- An invitation to the Festival Opening Party
- An e-newsletter with the latest news from Wigtown Book Town
As a Book Town Best Friend
for £80 a year you will receive the same benefits as a Book Town Friend plus:
- 10% off 4 festival tickets
- Priority seating (on request)
- A priority invitation to special events
As a Book Town Super Friend
for £120 a year (suggested minimum donation) you will receive all the benefits above plus:
- 2 free festival tickets
- A personalised Book Town experience. Please see details below;
We are thrilled to partner with many of the town’s businesses to bring you a choice of unique experiences this year and we hope there’s something to suit each of our Friends.
THE EXPERIENCES
The Bookend Studio
Join Julie at The Bookend Studio to make your own work of art/keepsake from a book! A flower or a hedgehog the choice is yours.
Briars Engravers
Briars Engravers is a small independent gift shop and engravers nestled in the heart of Wigtown. Experience a wonderful hands on experience where you will spend approximately one hour exploring the intricate world of computerised engraving. The glass will serve as a unique reminder of the wonderful time that you had in Wigtown.
Byre Books
Tea, chat and a walk around the garden at Byre Books with one of Wigtown’s longest-serving booksellers.
Craigmount
Stay in one of their literary themed rooms and receive 20% off your stay
Foggie Toddle Books
Go behind the scenes of independent publishing with author and bookseller Jayne Baldwin. Jayne worked with two small independent companies before setting up her own imprint in 2020. Jayne will share the process of publishing from reading manuscripts through to placing the finished book with suppliers.
Machars Tour
Explore all the different aspects of the Machars; the environment, its history, and its people. The tour can be up to 50 miles long and can take up to 4 hours, however the passenger is totally in charge of time and distance.
New Chapter Books
Join Bre for a walk through Wigtown’s graveyard for tales of how they lived.
The Old Bank Bookshop
Enjoy a private performance from Ian and Joyce Cochrane - a former Edinburgh Fringe duo - with the stories behind the original songs.
ReadingLasses
Enjoy coffee and cake from Wigtown’s infamous Cake Fairy.
Well-Read Books
Well-Read Books of Wigtown will gift you a paperback from their wide-ranging stock of new books to the value of £11.00. Let Ruth, Becky and Debbie offer recommendations and help you choose.
Wigtown Gallery
Create a small needle felted landscape or seascape with Wigtown artist, Rosie Morton.
If you're looking to stay over to take up your experience and other events in town, you can find local accommodation listings here.
Terms and Conditions
- Experiences are not available during the annual Wigtown Book Festival (27 September - 6 October) due to the pressure already placed on businesses. We hope you’ll visit Wigtown and enjoy your experience at a different time of year.
- Certain experiences may be limited - please book your experience early to avoid disappointment.
- Experiences must be redeemed between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025.
- Each Super Friend may select one experience.
- Once you have chosen your experience, please email mail@wigtownbookfestival.com to request to redeem the selected experience.
- Wigtown Festival Company will put you in direct contact with the business offering your chosen experience.
- It may be possible for another person/other people to join you - this is by negotiation directly with the business offering the experience and an additional payment may apply for that person/those people.
Already a Friend for Life?
While we're no longer offering the purchase of new Friend for Life memberships, existing ones will be honoured. Benefits include:
- 10% off one main programme ticket for each event booked (excluding dinners and those promoted for other organisations).
- 48 hours priority booking before the public launch.
- A pair of complimentary tickets every year.
- An invitation to the Festival Opening Party.