Firmly established as one of Scotland's leading book festivals, Winter Words celebrates seven years in 2011 by bringing thirty eight wonderful minds (authors, broadcasters and wordsmiths) together in the stimulating environment of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, set in the stunning Highland Perthshire landscape.

28th January to 6th February

This year's glittering lineup includes: Dick Strawbridge, from Celebrity Masterchef and three series of Its Not Easy Being Green for BBC2; internationally acclaimed mountaineer Stephen Venables; the hugely popular Scottish politician Dennis Canavan; presenter of Songs of Praise and anchor for Reporting Scotland, author and journalist Sally Magnusson; plus the man with the rubber face, who inspired a generation of comic impersonators, Phil Cool.

Monty Halls makes a headline appearance to discuss his latest book Hebridean Dairies, which charts his time as a crofter of questionable competence on the west coast of Scotland during the filming of the BBC series. And there's a rare chance to join literary superstar, Louis de Bernières, author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, for an evening of music and words.

Tartan Noir favourite Stuart MacBride is also in this year's Festival lineup, alongside military historian Trevor Royle, Coast presenter Christopher Sommerville, cycling fanatic and adventurer Robert Penn, James Robertson, Jess Smith, Rachel Hewitt, Maisie Steven, Roddy Martine and Jim Crumley amongst others.

The ever-popular 1.00pm Literary Lunch slot features an all star cast. Try a luxurious three course Whisky and Game lunch with whisky expert and author Ian Buxton, enjoy the dynamic combination of Judy Steel and Rosie Wallace (two political wives who tell their tales in very different ways), and a very special ‘backwards' McGonagall lunch with the great man's biographer, Norman Watson, plus mouth-watering engagements with leading nature writer John Lister-Kaye and Highland Clans author Alistair Moffat. What better way to spend a winter lunchtime that with gifted authors, great speakers, fantastic minds and wholesome, tasty food?

Once again, there's a great selection of child-friendly entertainment for this year's Festival. From Princess Poppy Stories to Lari Don's Big Bottom Hunt and the return of Matthew Fitt, there's something to suit every age. The festival is rounded off in style with a great family event as the hiper Youth Theatre take to the main stage, with a whacky whistle-stop tour of the Battles that shaped Scottish History!

In addition, we have short writing workshops offering opportunities for would-be writers to develop and expand their creative writing skills, with poet and short story writer Kenneth Steven, Zoe Venditozzi, who explores plotting a story to establishing tone and character, and First Lines...Last Words, a three day writing course with tutor Rachel Marsh.

If you're a budding author of tales of the mysterious and macabre, then you will be delighted to hear that the Fearie Tales Writing Competition returns, daring you to submit your best spooky story, with the winning entries read aloud each evening by some familiar faces from the Pitlochry stage. New for 2011, we are also pleased to invite submissions of short scary stories (of no more than 100 words) from budding writers aged 11-18 years old for our new Mini Fearie Tales Competition.

A Book Fair will take over the Foyer every day of the Festival, with a wide range of both new and second hand books, covering both specialist and general topics.

Tickets, brochures and further information are available from Pitlochry Festival Theatre Box Office on 01796 484626 or via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . you can alos buy here online - it's safe, easy and secure!