There’s just one day to go before the 2021 Portobello Book Festival begins and we thought it would be useful to give you some information about attending events. Some things are different from previous years so please do make yourself familiar with what is going to happen this year.

Entry to each event will be five minutes before it is due to start.

If your event is in the library upstairs, you will enter and leave by the fire exit door to the left of the main entrance. If you require to use the ramp, that will still be possible of course.

If your event is in the library downstairs, you will enter and leave by the usual main library doors.

As rooms will be cleaned between events, even if you have a ticket for the following event you will need to leave the building.

You must have your ticket with you. Regretfully, we cannot admit anyone without a ticket, no matter the reason. The only exceptions are guests of the contributors whose names are on the guest list.

There are no tickets available on the door before events this year. If you have a ticket you now can’t use, please return it to the library as soon as possible. Many events have no tickets left so this will give others a chance to attend.

You must register attendance by either checking in with the QR code, or via the Check In Scotland website or by giving your contact details to the staff.

You must wear a face covering at all times in the library, unless you are exempt.

We will be filling up the events from the front and after each event, we will ask those at the back to leave first.

As windows will be open for ventilation throughout all events, please wrap up warmly!

We will, as always, be delighted to receive any donations. Buckets will be available on the way out after each event. If you do intend to donate, it would be helpful if you could have your money ready as you leave to avoid queueing.

With all these precautions in place, we hope that you will feel safe and enjoy the events over the weekend. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and listening to all our fabulous participants.

Books by all our participating authors are available to order from The Portobello Bookshop.
Click here to visit the PBF page