The Tidelines book festival returns to Largs this year to co-incide with the Viking Festival.

It kicks off on Friday 29 August at Largs Library with Ron Butlin who is also one of Scotland’s most acclaimed poets. A former Edinburgh Poet Laureate, in 2009 he was made the first Honorary Writing Fellow of the University of Edinburgh, together with Ian Rankin. Ghost Moon, his fourth novel, was published in April. On Saturday 30 August, novellists Lin Anderson and Alex Gray present ‘Watching the Detectives’ at Lounge bar/restaurant.

Lin Anderson is the author of eight novels featuring Glasgow-based forensic expert Dr Rhona MacLeod.

The series has been optioned for television and ‘Final Cut’ is currently being developed as a three-parter.

Another event at Lounge in Largs is on Friday 5 September at 7.30pm, hosted by authors Laura Marney and Shari Low – ‘For Faughie’s Sake Read these Books’. Laura will be reading from the book, while Shari Low, will be joining her. Shari is a former Daily Record columnist-turned-best-selling author of 5 novels including Friday Night With The Girls. A night of great hilarity is promised.

Children will also get the opportunity to enjoy the Roald Dahl themed events at Largs, Millport and West Kilbride libraries on Saturday 30 August.

Some events are ticketed and others are drop-in family sessions. Please contact your local library for more detailed information. For a full schedule and details about bookings, go to their website at http://www.tidelinesbookfest.com/