22 July 2019

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Harrogate in Yorkshire for the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival.

The First Minister appeared ‘in conversation’ with legendary Scottish crime writer Val McDermid. They discussed all things crime writing, as well as Val’s approach to writing a new novel and the importance of everyone reading fiction.

We’re in the Green Room getting ready for the hottest ticket in town with the two powerhouses @valmcdermid and @NicolaSturgeon. There is a great buzz about this event on site at #TheakstonsCrime with the wait list queue overflowing from the box office! pic.twitter.com/JiT9YqYkum

— Harrogate Festivals (@HarrogateFest) July 21, 2019

"I am the mad woman walking by the water of leith, talking to myself." @valmcdermid tells @NicolaSturgeon how she converses with her own characters to develop her stories. #TheakstonsCrime pic.twitter.com/0UmbSdQtPr

— Harrogate Festivals (@HarrogateFest) July 21, 2019