THIS year’s Boswell Book Festival at Dumfries House, the world’s only festival of biography and memoir saw record numbers attend the three day weekend of events.

Events staged ranged from performances by actors Gregor Fisher, Martin Jarvis and comedian Susan Calman and authors BBC’s Philip Mould, Mona Siddiqui, Dumfries land artist, Charles Jencks and founder of Mary’s Meals Magnus Macfarlane-Barrow.

The first ever weekend of Children’s Events and activities, Bozzy’s Book Bang held in the Engineering Centre on the Estate, saw families from near and far enjoy top authors and illustrators such as Nick Sharratt and Vivian French.

The Festival’s Schools Day saw nearly 400 pupils invited from local schools enjoy a two hour visit during which roars of laughter could be heard when they participated in sessions with Kjartan Poskitt, otherwise known as ‘Mr Murderous Maths’

Director of the Festival, Caroline Knox said: “Now in it’s sixth year the Festival has surpassed all expectations with record crowds on the Dumfries House estate and sell out talks throughout the weekend. 

“Special thanks must go to Louis MacCallum and his team at Dumfries House and Dr Karen Alexander and the Dumfries House Education Team for Bozzy’s Book Bang. Thanks are also due to Auchinleck Army Cadets and the Police Cadets who played a major role in organising the car parking at this exceptionally busy time.”

The presence of the Royal Drawing School brought a new twist to the Festival theme of biography with life drawing classes that drew out the artist in all who attended.

And in summing up this year’s memorable event, Caroline Knox added: “By exploring, examining and relating the human experience, by listening to and learning from people from all walks of life - not just for what they do but for who they really are, the Boswell Book Festival has, yet again resonated most powerfully with its ever increasing audience. The great biographer and Ayrshire man James Boswell would have been delighted.”