Inverness writer to give opening talk at 2025 John O’Groats Book Festival
The John O’Groats Book Festival programme for 2025 will get under way next weekend with a talk by Inverness writer Jennifer Morag Henderson.
On her second visit to the festival, Jennifer will be discussing her book Daughters of the North. It tells the story of Jean Gordon, best known as the first wife of the notorious Earl of Bothwell, who was involved in many of the adventures of Mary, Queen of Scots.
After escaping from the intrigue of the royal court, Jean became an important player in the history of the far north as Countess of Sutherland.
Jennifer will share stories from her book about Jean’s fascinating life, including Jean’s battles against Wicked Earl George of Caithness and her alliance with the Clan Mackay and Dark Uisdean of the Battleaxe.
The talk will take place in the Seaview Hotel, John O’Groats, on Sunday, April 6, starting at 2.30pm. It is free to attend and is funded by Scottish Book Trust.
Festival organiser Ian Leith explained that it is intended to be the first of a number of events run by John O’Groats Book Festival during the year. He said a programme is being developed that will include writers, poets and storytellers, “with something for all ages and interests”.
Further details are available from Ian on 07715 493696.
Daughters of the North has been acclaimed by reviewers as “deeply researched and detailed”, “involving and satisfying”, “captivating” and “utterly absorbing”. It was longlisted for the Highland Book Prize.
The new softback edition is published by Whittles Publishing.
Jennifer was one of the guest writers at the fourth John O’Groats Book Festival in 2022. She is the first biographer of Inverness-born crime writer Josephine Tey.
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