Aberdeen Performing Arts celebrates successful milestone event as visitors flocked to the city for Granite Noir X.
The tenth edition of Aberdeen’s internationally renowned crime writing festival came to a close on Sunday 22 February as best-selling Canadian author Shari Lapena sat down with broadcaster Bryan Burnett for the festival's closing show in the Lemon Tree. Over 100 authors, speakers, broadcasters and performers participated in the landmark programme over the five-day festival, making it the largest Granite Noir to date.
Sharon Burgess, Chief Executive Aberdeen Performing Arts, commented on the success of the 10th edition, saying: “What an incredible few days celebrating the 10th edition of Granite Noir. There were so many highlights, from crime fiction royalty to up and coming new literary voices and everything in between, as well as interactive events, film screenings, food and drink and workshops to not only entertain, but actively involve everyone who joined us in so many fun and creative ways.
“Once again we had a fantastic response to our short story competition, and we were thrilled to announce the winner, Andrew Robb, to a sold-out Music Hall crowd at our Shetland event on Saturday evening.
“Over the last 10 years, Granite Noir has firmly established itself as one of Scotland’s leading literary events. A festival of this scale simply isn’t possible without the passion and support of our wonderful Granite Noir team, our key funders and festival partners and of course our amazing audiences who are always willing to come with us as we explore the sometimes murky but always hugely entertaining world of crime fiction together.”
Around 15,000 visitors attended Granite Noir X, enjoying events across Aberdeen City Centre, including Aberdeen Performing Arts’ Music Hall and His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen Central Library, and Cowdray Hall. Many joined in on the celebrations online, with livestreaming of selected events from across the programme. The festival’s exhibition will continue to be displayed at the Music Hall and is expected to attract more visitors over the coming months.
The programme was an appropriately celebratory affair, welcoming back chairs and authors from down the years. Heavyweights of Scottish crime fiction, Doug Johnstone and Denise Mina returned having been at the very first Granite Noir in 2017, joined by fellow festival alumnus Val McDermid and Graeme Macrae Burnet. While 2022-23 Scots Scriever Shane Strachan and former chemist turned author Dr Kathryn Harkup brought back their deliciously illicit events which have been a regular fixture of Granite Noir since its first edition.
Granite Noir also partnered with another Scottish crime institution, celebrating 10 years of the Shetland TV series in a special celebration with critically acclaimed author Ann Cleeves, actors Alison O’Donnell and Dawn Steele, and forensic pathologist Dr James Grieves. The event, hosted by broadcaster Nicola Meighan, brought fans of the show and novels together; packing out the Music Hall and tuning in online from across the country via livestream.
From page to stage, Granite Noir welcomed back Fiery Productions for the European premiere of a brand-new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, the second in the series by writer Ken Ludwig. While on screen, Aberdeen Performing Arts partnered with Belmont Community Cinema to bring back another Christie classic with a screening of the 1974 Murder on the Orient Express, starring Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman and Sean Connery.
Launched Into Eternity, this year’s exhibition looked at the storied history of capital punishment in Aberdeen, from the witchcraft hunts of the 16th c. to the last execution in Scotland in 1963. Aberdeen City Archivist and curator Phil Astley explored the topic further in a sold-out talk at Cowdray Hall; while Dr Wendy Deegan, Dr Rachael Ironside and Professor Chris Yuill delivered a series of informative lectures and events in partnership with Robert Gordon University.
The festival's popular Locals in the Limelight project returned, where North East writers provide a short reading of their own work, this year sharing a stage with among others Fflur Dafydd, Deborah Masson and Thomas R Weaver. Debut novelists MK Oliver and Tanya Sweeney and Elspeth Wilson made their first ever festival appearances. While the next generation of readers and writers had their imaginations piqued by celebrated children’s authors Nadine Aisha Jassatt, Vivian French and Sarah Todd Taylor with a children’s programme hosted at Aberdeen Central Library and outreach to local schools.
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson said: “Aberdeen’s festival of crime fiction and crime history has fascinated and engaged large numbers of participants from near and far. This year's programme has catered to a wide and diverse range of interests. People are fascinated by the different aspects of this shady area of life. It has been good to be able to explore criminality from so many angles. Bringing together a genuine mix of experts and enthusiasts has made the event such a success. Taking part have been household names, specialists, and emerging talent. The feedback has been positive, demonstrating that this it been an important and popular cultural initiative.”
Alan Bett, Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland said: “Crime fiction on page and screen is one of Scotland’s best exports and Granite Noir brought them together seamlessly in a true celebration of the genre. Locals in the Limelight put debut writers side-by-side on stage with stalwarts of the scene. This is an invaluable experience for new voices and for fostering a thriving literary scene in Scotland. This claim is supported by Granite Noir marking its largest festival to date in its tenth year, testament to both its deep understanding of its audience and championship of crime writers throughout their careers.”
Rebecca Edser, Head of EventScotland said: “Over the years, this fascinating festival has captured the imaginations of audiences from near and far, and the 2026 event was no exception. The calibre of talent on this year’s line‑up is testament to the exceptional reputation Granite Noir has built over the past decade.
“Festivals like this play an important role in supporting the visitor economy. They help create a strong sense of place, bringing communities together while delivering social, cultural and economic benefits. Granite Noir is a shining example of this, reflecting the city’s culture, history and unique character.”
Granite Noir X took place Tuesday 17 – Sunday 22 February in Aberdeen Performing Arts venues, with satellite events across the city including Robert Gordon University’s Sir Ian Wood Building, Aberdeen Central Library and Cowdray Hall. Granite Noir will return in February 2027, with programme details announced toward the end of the year.
Granite Noir is produced and curated by Aberdeen Performing Arts and is grateful for the support of funders Aberdeen City Council, Creative Scotland and Event Scotland. Granite Noir is presented with partners Aberdeen City Libraries, Aberdeen Archives Galleries and Museums, Belmont Community Cinema, and Robert Gordon University.