Cancelled Glasgow festival receives unexpected donation

Glasgow book festival Aye Write, which was cancelled last month after Creative Scotland turned down its funding application, has received an unexpected £65,000 donation that will enable it to host more author events.

While the full festival – last year 175 authors appeared across 10 days – will not go ahead, the money will go towards an increased number of pop-up author events throughout 2024. 

Wee Write, a festival for children and young people, will also now go ahead in autumn, albeit on a reduced scale.

The money, from the foundation set up by the late EuroMillions lottery winner Colin Weir, was described as “unexpected, but very welcome” by Glasgow Life, the council-funded charity that runs Aye Write.

Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said the donation meant Aye Write “can continue to have a positive impact on Glaswegians and people throughout Scotland”.

A spokesperson for Weir’s foundation commented: “It was unthinkable that Aye Write should be silenced until next year. Happily, the donation means that won’t be the case.”

Glasgow Life said it will continue to develop a multi-year funding application to Creative Scotland for future festivals.