Edinburgh International Book Festival
With Our Hands: Clare Hunter & Callum Robinson
From wood to thread, Callum Robinson and Clare Hunter both explore the powerful stories held within crafted objects. Robinson is a woodworker whose book Ingrained blends memoir and nature writing. Hunter's Making Matters celebrates the potential of creative making, exploring craft traditions from across the centuries. Today, they discuss the cultural and personal significance of craft, and how it can enable us to see the world in new, inspiring ways.
Courtyard Theatre, Edinburgh Futures Institute, 1 Lauriston Pl, Edinburgh EH3 9EF
Balfron Book Festival
A Book, a Beer and a Basket
The Pirn Inn, in the village of Balfron (just outside Glasgow) has a special place in my family’s heart. It was here, forty-odd years ago, that my wife Marisa spent her early childhood. When she was very young, her parents owned the pub for a time, renovating it from a fire-damaged shell into a beloved local insitution, and she has fond memories of listening to the clatter and babble of pub life from upstairs, and watching her Tuscan Nonna cooking lasagne for wide-eyed locals in the kitchen. It’s extra special, then, to be appearing here during the inaugural Balfron Book Festival, where I’ll be talking all things Ingrained - and you can also get yourself a beer and a basket of food!
06 Sept 2025, 17:00 – 18:00
The Pirn Inn, Balfron, Glasgow G63 0PX, UK
Hay Festival
I’m delighted to be taking to the Discovery Stage at the legendary Hay Festival, where I’ll be in conversation with furniture restorer, author and presenter Will Kirk, celebrating the joys of working with wood, finding hope in longevity in a culture where everything seems easily disposable, and why working with our hands in the modern age can offer us peace.
Hatchards Cheltenham
To celebrate the UK paperback release of Ingrained, I’ll be in coversation with the team at Hatchards Cheltenham. Join us for an evening of reflection of the wondrous world of woodcraft, and a limited exhibtion of artwork by special guest Marisa Giannasi. (Many of Marisa’s stunning bookshop portraits, including Hatchards Cheltenham, were sketched when we travelled around the UK hand-delivering the first proof copies of Ingrained)
Boswell Book Festival
I’m delighted to be in conversation with Susanna Beaumont, in the beautiful surroundings of Dumfries House, for the world’s only festival of biography and memoir. Join us on May 10th to talk all things Ingrained.
The Wee Bookshop, Dollar
Talking all things Ingrained at The Wee Bookshop in Dollar
The Wee Bookshop, 56 Bridge Street Dollar FK14 7DG
Cheltenham Literary Festival
Callum Robinson in conversation with Wyl Menmuir at the Cheltenham Literary Festival
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival
In an increasingly technical world, two men share a love of craft by hand. Callum Robinson and Tom Allan at the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival
Appledore Book Festival, Devon
Two expert craftsmen talk about the power of reconnecting with nature and keeping alive the traditional crafts of the countryside.
Night Owl Books at Dukes of West Barnes
In conversation with Night Owl Books, at Dukes of West Barnes
Waterstones, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow
Café Scientifique Club, with Ingrained author Callum Robinson
The Edinburgh Bookshop, Morningside, Edinburgh
In conversation with The Edinburgh Bookshop, at The Small Hall, Morningside United Church
Far From the Madding Crowd, Linlithgow
In conversation with Far From the Madding Crowd at beautiful Bonnytoun Farm, Linlithgow