Stonehaven hosts a thrilling new crime festival on May 29–30, bringing together much-loved authors and real-world forensics experts for a weekend of live interviews, immersive events and unforgettable moments.
👉 View Programme
👉 Book Tickets
WHAT TO EXPECT
From gripping panel conversations to hands-on, interactive experiences, the Heart of Stone Crimewriting Festival brings crime fiction to life.
- Bestselling and emerging crime authors
- Real-world forensic insight
- Live interviews and behind-the-scenes conversations
- Interactive events such as Trial by Jury and a murder mystery cocktail party.
- Dedicated festival bookshop with Stonehaven’s But n’ Ben Books.
- A warm and welcoming venue with an excellent restaurant and bar.
- A stunning coastal setting in the heart of Stonehaven.
This is more than a series of talks — it’s a weekend of atmosphere, storytelling and shared experience.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Friday – The First Clue
An evening of intrigue, from forensic handwriting analysis to the history of crime fiction, building to an unforgettable interactive experience.
Cocktails, Mocktails & Mystery
Step into the story and solve the case.
Trial by Jury
Hear the evidence. Weigh the arguments. Deliver the verdict.
Saturday – A Full Day of Crime and Conversation
Murder in the Morning
Start the day with stories of place, atmosphere and the landscapes that shape crime fiction – and true crime stories too.
The Science Bit
A masterclass in how to solve a crime, led by real-world forensic experts from Robert Gordon University — separating fact from fiction.
The Unusual Suspects
What would happen if some of your favourite fictional detectives compared notes? From DI Eve Hunter to DI Clare Mackay and beyond, this panel explores the enduring appeal of popular sleuths and long-running crime series.
Noir by Night
As darkness falls, we journey into the mind of the crime writer — exploring creativity, morality and what it means to tell stories of crime — before stepping further back into Scotland’s past and the chilling legacy of the witch trials.
Seven themed events. One unmissable festival.
Heart of Stone Festival 
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