Nairn Arts Festival

Annually Arts Festival with a sound literary strand. Ideal for those in Scotland for the Edinburgh Book Festival who wish to continue their literary trail into September in 2012. The event is held in the�ancient fishing port and market town around 16 miles (26 km) east of Inverness.�

When? September

Where? Various venues around town. Nairn is 16 miles (26 km) east of Inverness, Scotland

Who? 2012 TBA

Tickets? £6 - £8

Festival Website? Nairn Festival

Past Festivals? Carol Ann Duffy, A.L. Kennedy, Liz Ashworth, Susie Alexander, Michael Faber. In 2011, Jackie Kay, Sturat Brown, Aonghas Macneacail, Dennis Canavan, Sophie Cook,

The Area? Nairn is a town and former burgh in the Highlands of Scotland.� It is an ancient fishing port and market town around 16 miles (26 km) east of Inverness.� Nairn also has good transport links to Aberdeen to the east and the Highlands of Scotland to the west.

Nairn is well established as a quality tourism area, with many arts and cultural activities within its outer boundaries.� The Nairn Jazz Festival, Music Nairn and the music and theatre performances at Cawdor and Brodie Castle have all contributed to Nairn's appeal.

Nairn is also known as a world class golfing destination, with two 18 hole Championship golf courses.� Outdoor activities in the area extend to beautiful seaside walks and heritage sites to sailing and boat excursions.

The annual short story competition, sponsored by the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust.

Prize money will be at least £250, with £100 for the winning story. The winning entry will be read at the event, and copies will be available at Nairn Bookshop after the Festival. Stories should not exceed 1,500 words.

Stories should be based in or have an association with Nairn, or another seaside town in the Moray Firth area. Entries should be posted by the end of June to the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust at PO Box 6055, Nairn IV12 4YB.