Accessible events

We offer a range of accessible performances, from learning disability friendly events to captioned and British Sign Language supported. We work with experienced BSL interpreters and live captioners to offer a selection of signed and captioned events for both adults and children. If you would like to request a BSL interpreter for an event not listed below, please contact the Box Office. Full details of our BSL On Request service can be found on our Access page.

Showing events that are BSL interpreted, captioned or learning disability friendly.

Use one or more of the search filters below to find events.

Browse this year's themes
 

Peter F Hamilton: Space Opera Goes Digital

Tuesday 12 August 19:30 - 20:30

Peter F Hamilton: Space Opera Goes Digital Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Today, Hamilton talks about the thrill of imagining a wildly far-flung future and his dual roles as novelist and video game consultant…
 

Malachy Tallack: That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz

Tuesday 12 August 20:00 - 21:30

Malachy Tallack: That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Malachy Tallack’s novel, That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz, is uniquely accompanied by an album of evocative songs. Join us tonight as those songs will be captivatingly performed by a full band (including Tallack)…
 

Neil Ansell: The Edge of Silence

Tuesday 12 August 20:15 - 21:15

Neil Ansell: The Edge of Silence Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Today Ansell talks to us about becoming critically attuned to listening to the natural world and how he has learned to separate their sounds from commotion of everyday life…
 

The Silk Roads: Ten Years On

Tuesday 12 August 20:30 - 21:30

The Silk Roads: Ten Years On Find out more
Why not try? Vince Cable: Twilight of the West? Vince Cable: Twilight of the West? Wed 20 Aug 18:45 - 19:45
 

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Suitable for age 3 - 5

Wednesday 13 August 10:00 - 10:30

Are You Sitting Comfortably? Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Learning disability friendly
Join us for a relaxed morning story especially for your littlest readers. Appearing today: Ailie Finlay…
 

First Edition: Local News Direct

Wednesday 13 August 10:00 - 11:00

First Edition: Local News Direct Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
In our First Edition events you can join leading journalists from across the media (and the world) as they discuss the day’s breaking news over a cup of coffee…
 

Mona Arshi, Jackie Kay & Karen McCarthy Woolf: Nature Matters

Wednesday 13 August 10:15 - 11:15

Mona Arshi, Jackie Kay & Karen McCarthy Woolf: Nature Matters Find out more
Why not try? Angus Peter Campbell: Rhymes and Reels Angus Peter Campbell: Rhymes and Reels Mon 18 Aug 18:00 - 19:00
 

Clare Hunter & Callum Robinson: With Our Hands

Wednesday 13 August 10:30 - 11:30

Clare Hunter & Callum Robinson: With Our Hands Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
From wood to thread, Callum Robinson and Clare Hunter both explore the powerful stories held within crafted objects…
 

A L Kennedy: Small Kind Details

Wednesday 13 August 11:00 - 12:00

A L Kennedy: Small Kind Details Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Kennedy (author, comedian, and longtime BBC radio writer and host) joins us to discuss the real heart of her novel: the nature of justice and mercy, and the power of hope and kindness…
 

Sarah Moss: Exits and Entrances

Wednesday 13 August 11:30 - 12:30

Sarah Moss: Exits and Entrances Find out more
Why not try? Julian Clary: Behind the Curtain Julian Clary: Behind the Curtain Thu 14 Aug 12:45 - 13:45
 

Fresh Words: Jenny Brown Debut Writers Over 50

Wednesday 13 August 12:00 - 13:00

Fresh Words: Jenny Brown Debut Writers Over 50 Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Be the first to discover the literary stars of the future. In partnership with Scottish Book Trust and other leading talent spotters across the UK, this lively lunchtime event showcases electrifying new voices, so grab your seat before everyone else does…
 

Anna Bogutskaya, Nicholas Jubber & Stuart McHardy: Monstrous Mythologies

Wednesday 13 August 12:00 - 13:00

Anna Bogutskaya, Nicholas Jubber & Stuart McHardy: Monstrous Mythologies Find out more
Why not try? Catherine Chidgey & Laila Lalami: Dreaming Dangerously Catherine Chidgey & Laila Lalami: Dreaming Dangerously Fri 22 Aug 20:00 - 21:00
 

Sensory Storytelling with Ailie Finlay

All ages

Wednesday 13 August 12:00 - 13:00

Sensory Storytelling with Ailie Finlay Find out more
Why not try? Invent a Story with Niall Moorjani Invent a Story with Niall Moorjani All ages Sat 23 Aug 10:00 - 11:00
 

Nussaibah Younis: Fundamentally Funny

Wednesday 13 August 12:15 - 13:15

Nussaibah Younis: Fundamentally Funny Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Shortlisted for 2025's Women's Prize for Fiction, Fundamentally combines Nussaibah Younis' career in academia and Middle East peacekeeping with her recent training in stand-up comedy. Younis talks with us today about navigating cultural divides and the…
 

Paula Hawkins: An Unexpected Visitor

Wednesday 13 August 12:45 - 13:45

Paula Hawkins: An Unexpected Visitor Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Watch online
  • Captioned
Author of the global phenomenon Girl on a Train, Paula Hawkins joins Val McDermid to talk about her latest page-turning thriller…
 

Alice Mah & Madeleine Watts: Tragedies and Miracles

Wednesday 13 August 13:15 - 14:15

Alice Mah & Madeleine Watts: Tragedies and Miracles Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Two writers grappling with our ties, commitments, and inheritance in the wake of environmental catastrophe come together to discuss their compelling new books with Caoilinn Hughes…
 

The Front List: Mark Kermode Live in 3D

Wednesday 13 August 13:30 - 14:30

The Front List: Mark Kermode Live in 3D Find out more
Why not try? Joe Boyd: Bringing It All Back Home Joe Boyd: Bringing It All Back Home Fri 22 Aug 16:30 - 17:30
 

Scottish Writing is Thriving: A Sparkling Showcase

Wednesday 13 August 13:45 - 15:00

Scottish Writing is Thriving: A Sparkling Showcase Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Captioned
Here at the Book Festival, it's our joy and privilege to shout from the rafters about the talented poets, novelists, thinkers, and performers contributing their diverse voices and fresh ideas to Scottish writing today. Featuring writers including Eilidh…
 

Olga Wojtas: Never Underestimate a Librarian

Wednesday 13 August 14:00 - 15:00

Olga Wojtas: Never Underestimate a Librarian Find out more
Why not try? Wendy Erskine & John Niven: Darkly Humorous Fiction Wendy Erskine & John Niven: Darkly Humorous Fiction Wed 13 Aug 15:30 - 16:30
 

Singing and Stories with Mr Men Little Miss

Suitable for age 3 - 5

Wednesday 13 August 14:00 - 14:30

Singing and Stories with Mr Men Little Miss Find out more
  • Attend in person
  • Learning disability friendly
Join storyteller George in a gentle Mr. Men Little Miss story journey. Perfect for young children, you’ll find lots of live music, nursery rhymes, sensory participation, action, and movement – and classic characters from the much-loved Mr. Men Little…