Highland Park Events

A range of free music performances and intimate readings, from some of The Festival’s best talents, all accompanied by a complimentary dram of Highland Park Single Malt Whisky.

Drop into The Highland Park Keynotes area, next to the box office in Montpelier Gardens, to enjoy a complimentary tasting whilst listening to acoustic music acts or readings from some of the festival’s best talents. Authors will read for 15 minutes at a time.

View Highland Park events

Saturday 8 October

12.30 – 12.45pm Bob Marshall-Andrews
The thorn in Tony Blair’s side looks back on the New Labour years.

1.15 – 1.30pm Tim Lott
The regular columnist for The Independent reads from his latest work.

2.00pm Acoustic music from Joe Summers

3.15 – 3.30pm John Hegarty
One of the world’s most respected ad men, shares his secrets.

4.15pm Acoustic music from Joe Summers

5.30 – 5.45pm Grace Dent
The Guardian columnist reads from the hilarious How to Leave Twitter.

6.15pm Acoustic music from Joe Summers

 

Sunday 9 October

12.45 - 1pm Ben Macintyre
The Times journalist specialises in behind-the-scenes accounts of spying missions from WW2.

1.45pm Acoustic music from Joe Summers

3.15 – 3.30pm Sherard Cowper Coles
The British ambassador in Afghanistan shares his memories in Cables from Kabul.

4.15pm Acoustic music from Joe Summers

5.30 – 5.45pm Bettany Hughes
The classicist reads from The Hemlock Cup, her introduction to classical Athens.

 6.15pm Acoustic music from Joe Summers

 

Friday 14 October

1.30 – 1.45pm John Crace
The author reads from his book Vertigo, about being a lifelong Spurs fan.

2.15pm Acoustic music from Heg Doughty

3.30 – 3.45pm Christina Dodwell
The intrepid explorer and founder of the Dodwell Trust speaks about her experiences.

4.15pm Acoustic music from Heg Doughty

5.30 – 5.45pm Howard Jacobson
Winner of the 2010 Booker prize for his brilliant The Finkler Question reads from his latest work.

6.15pm Acoustic music from Heg Doughty

 

Saturday 15 October

12.30 – 12.45pm Martin Bell
The celebrated war reporter reads from his new collection of poetry.

1.15 – 1.30pm John Rendell
The owner of Christian the Lion reads from his account of the big cat.

2.00pm Acoustic music from Ellie Dussek

3.30 – 3.45pm Penelope Lively
The booker-prize winning author reads from her new novel How it All Began.

4.15pm Acoustic music from Ellie Dussek

5.30 – 5.45pm AD Miller
Booker shortlisted author AD Miller, will read from his nominated novel Snowdrops.

6.15pm Acoustic music from Ellie Dussek

 

Sunday 16 October

12.30 – 12.45pm Dominic Faulkner
Dominic tells the story of his journey from the Dead Sea to Everest.

1.15pm – Acoustic music from Ellie Dussek

2.30 – 2.45pm Marcus Brigstocke
The comedian and author reads from his brilliant book, The God Collar.

3.30 – 3.45pm Charles Collingwood
Charles of Brian Aldridge from the Archers fame shares anecdotes from his career.

4.15pm Acoustic music from Ellie Dussek

5.30 – 5.45pm Victoria Hislop
The author of The Island reads from her new novel The Thread.

6.15pm Acoustic music from Ellie Dussek