Crime fiction festival Shetland Noir set for 2026 return
CRIME fiction festival Shetland Noir is set to return next year.
The event, last held in 2023, will be run by Shetland Arts from 11-14 June 2026 at Mareel in Lerwick.
Celebrated crime author Ann Cleeves OBE, who is behind the iconic Shetland and Vera book series, will return as the festival’s patron.
And Shetland’s own Marsali Taylor will also join Cleeves in curating the 2026 programme.
Six headline authors are set to be announced in the lead-up to the festival, with Shetland Arts telling fans to expect a “stellar line-up of acclaimed crime writers from around the world”.
Previous headliners have included major names in the genre such as Val McDermid, Richard Osman, Elly Griffiths and Stuart MacBride.
The first headliner will be announced by Cleeves at the invite-only Shetland Noir Launch at Mareel on 12 June.
Cleeves said she was “delighted that Shetland Arts and Marsali Taylor will be hosting Shetland Noir” next year.
“I can’t wait to be a part of it,” she said.
The writer added that it would be a “great way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the publication of my first Shetland book Raven Black”, which was launched in Lerwick.
Weekend passes will go on sale on Friday 13 June 2025, with an exclusive 10 per cent early bird discount available until Sunday 15 June.
Tickets will be available through Shetland Arts.
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