APRIL: Muriel Spark’s Loitering with Intent
April’s book group is Loitering with Intent, by Muriel Spark.
If you would like to join the group just pick one and join the discussion on Wednesday 29th from 6 – 7pm.
Muirhouse Library Book Group
Tag: Muirhouse Library
Guitar Group’s back at Muirhouse Library
TUESDAYS 3.45 – 4.30pm from 28th APRIL
Guitar group is back at Muirhouse library!
Chris will be running drop-in sessions from Tuesday 28th April 3:45-4:30pm, every Tuesday until the summer break.
Please come along if you want to learn or develop your guitar playing. Guitars will be available to play and borrow or you can bring your own.
Easter holidays Breakfast Club at Muirhouse Library
During the Easter holidays we will be running a breakfast club for children and families 
Monday – Saturday 10:15am – 12:15pm
We will be CLOSED on Good Friday and Easter Monday so the breakfast club will be starting from the 7th April and will run until the 20th April 
Free cereal, cereal bars and refreshments provided.
Celebrate Languages Week Scotland with Edinburgh Libraries
WE invite all Edinburgh residents to celebrate Languages Week Scotland (2 – 6 February) by joining a variety of activities promoting the languages spoken by New Scots at Edinburgh Libraries.
Muirhouse Library, 2 February, 6 – 7:30pm
Bringing together stories and experiences of Syrian and Sudanese New Scots, Join us for an open session that celebrates spoken and written Arabic through poetry, narration and calligraphy workshop.
Gilmerton Library, 4 February, 1 – 8pm
From lines to letters: Multilingual calligraphy
Celebrate one of the languages spoken by the Afghan community in Edinburgh, the library will offer Pashto alphabet pages for practice. Come along with family and friends to test your calligraphy skills. No booking required.
Oxgangs Library 5 February, 10:00 – 11:30am
From speech to mastery: Reading challenge in Arabic
Whether you are an Arabic or non-Arabic speaker, this fun session will provide a variety of activities that celebrate the language and culture through learning and discovery.
Find out more https://zurl.co/lZEeq
Irvine Welsh to appear at childhood library as Paper Trails brings literary stars to Muirhouse
Val McDermid, Irvine Welsh and Joseph Coelho lead major free programme for North Edinburgh – including 100 free books for local children
Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh will return to the Muirhouse library he visited as a child this February, as the Edinburgh International Book Festival brings some of Scotland’s biggest literary names directly into the heart of North Edinburgh.
The programme – part of Paper Trails, a flagship initiative launched by Her Majesty Queen Camilla in 2025 – will see Val McDermid, Doug Johnstone, Claire Mitchell, Zoe Venditozzi, Maisie Chan and former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho OBE appear at North Edinburgh Arts and Muirhouse Library. All events are completely free to attend.
Welsh’s appearance marks a significant homecoming for the globally renowned author, who will appear digitally to discuss his Edinburgh roots and literary career to young people sat in the same library that helped shape his love of reading decades ago.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Libraries are where so many of us first fell in love with books, and they remain at the heart of our communities.
“Having Irvine Welsh return to the library that shaped him as a reader shows exactly why Paper Trails matters – these aren’t just buildings, they’re launchpads for imagination and possibility.
“At a time when literacy rates are declining and more than a quarter of older adults experience weekly loneliness, we’re committed to ensuring that world-class literature and creative experiences reach every neighbourhood, not just festival venues.
“This programme is about co-creating with communities, listening to local voices, and supporting libraries as the vital cultural hubs they’ve always been.”
Irvine Welsh, novelist, short story writer, screenwriter and filmmaker, said: “I’m joining remotely, but it still feels like I’m back in the room that first lit the fuse for me.
“Muirhouse gave me a quiet seat, a friendly word and a shelf full of new worlds—that’s all it takes to set a life on a different course.
“It’s brilliant to see Paper Trails investing in these spaces so every young person here can feel that same jolt of inspiration.”
Tony Stewart, Librarian at Muirhouse Library, said: “We see every day the impact and benefit for our users and the community, in having access to a safe and welcoming space filled books, activities and a team dedicated to helping in any way we can, and of course, a good book recommendation.
“We are very excited to be able to work with EIBF and Paper Trails to bring top class authors right to our community’s doorstep and provide some inspiration for any budding authors in the Muirhouse area, maybe even the next Irvine Welsh…”
The February programme will distribute over 500 free books to children attending events with Maisie Chan and Joseph Coelho – part of the festival’s five-year commitment to supporting Edinburgh’s libraries as creative community hubs.
Programme Highlights – February 2025
Claire Mitchell & Zoe Venditozzi: How to Kill a Witch
Wed 4 Feb, 6pm — North Edinburgh Arts
A lively, provocative exploration of Scotland’s witch-trial history from the hosts of the popular Witches of Scotland podcast. Mitchell, one of Scotland’s leading lawyers, and Venditozzi uncover the brutal reality behind historical persecution.
Val McDermid: Winter Crime
Monday 9 Feb, 6pm — North Edinburgh Arts
Scotland’s ‘Queen of Crime’ discusses her latest Karen Pirie thriller Silent Bones and her new memoir Winter. With over 18 million books sold worldwide, McDermid rarely appears in intimate community settings.
Doug Johnstone: 20 Years in the Making
Wed 11 Feb, 6pm — North Edinburgh Arts
The bestselling crime writer reflects on two decades of literary success ahead of his landmark 20th novel. Johnstone’s Edinburgh-set thrillers have earned international acclaim and multiple award nominations.
Irvine Welsh: Writing Edinburgh
Thurs 26 Feb, 6pm — Muirhouse Library
A special remote appearance from the Trainspotting author, returning to the library he visited as a child. Welsh will discuss how Muirhouse and Edinburgh shaped his groundbreaking literary voice, followed by audience Q&A.
Maisie Chan: Family Fun
Wed 18 Feb, 2–3pm — Muirhouse Library
A half-term celebration of stories and creativity for families. Every child attending receives a free book to take home.
Schools Event: Joseph Coelho OBE — Poetry Alive!
Wed 11 Feb, 10.30–11.15am — Muirhouse Library
An energising poetry workshop from the former Children’s Laureate (2022-24). Local primary school pupils will receive free books and participate in creative writing activities.
All events are free with advance booking recommended via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/muirhouse-library
Paper Trails in Muirhouse!
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL EVENTS NEXT MONTH
On a dark winter’s night, what could be more uplifting than hearing from leading Scottish authors? We know… seeing them for FREE! 
Taking place in partnership with Edinburgh Libraries, our flagship communities project Paper Trails is kicking off the year in Muirhouse Library and North Edinburgh Arts for a special series of events this February.
Poetry, fantasy, crime, fiction… we’ve got it all covered with our top-tier line-up of speakers (if we do say so ourselves). And don’t miss the half term workshops for keeping little minds busy on the school break.
Tickets are free but booking is required. These events are going fast so find out dates and book in quick: ticketsource.co.uk/muirhouse-library
#EdinburghInternationalBookFestival
Paper Trails is made possible thanks to #NationalLottery players as well as Cruden Foundation and the Ettrick Charitable Trust.
Muirhouse Library Winter Book Festival
Big Event Announcement!
Edinburgh International Book Festival Paper Trails x Muirhouse Library Winter Book Festival
In partnership with EBIF Paper Trails and North Edinburgh Arts we are very happy to announce, what we hope to be our first, Muirhouse library Winter Book Festival!
Throughout February we will be hosting:
Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi
Campaigners and hosts of the Witches of Scotland podcast and co-authors of How to Kill a Witch. Mitchell and Venditozzi join Vic Murray for a lively discussion about all things Scottish Witch trials and their sinisterly humorous book: How to Kill A Witch: A Guide for the Patriarchy.
Doug Johnstone
Author bestselling works including anarchic rock and roll road trip story The Ossians, the darkly funny seven-book series The Skelfs, and the whip-smart sci-fi Enceladons Trilogy.
Ahead of the publication of his 20th novel later this year, join Doug Johnstone to celebrate his 20-year career as a writer, including sharing reflections and hilarious stories from the last two decades.
Maisie Chan
Author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past and the Tiger Warrior series. Listen to Maisie read from her hilarious, warm-hearted books; hear where she gets the inspiration for her stories from and then get stuck into an interactive drawing activity fuelled by your imagination!
You’ll also receive a free copy of one of Maisie’s books to keep.
This event is suitable all ages – perfect for some half-term family fun.
Val McDermid
Scotland’s undisputed ‘Queen of Crime’, Val McDermid joins Book Festival Director Jenny Niven to talk all things crime, dark nights, and share a few behind the scenes stories of having her books adapted for TV.
Irvine Welsh
Joining us via video link for this special event Welsh returns to Muirhouse Library, where he spent time as a child, to bring his characteristic wit, energetic imagination and unfiltered honesty home to the place that made him.
Details and tickets are available to book online via the link below:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/muirhouse-library
There will also be a limited supply of tickets for each event reserved for residents of the local area available to be picked up in the library, pop into the library and ask a member of the team.
Arabic – English language exchange cafe at Muirhouse Library
STARTS SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER from 11am – 12.30pm
We’re starting an Arabic/English language exchange cafe at Muirhouse Library!
Every other Saturday, starting on Saturday 13th December.
We will provide tea, coffee and cake.
Come down whether you’re learning Arabic or learning English, let’s chat!
Christmas jumper workshops at Muirhouse Library
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – our Christmas jumper workshops!
These were a huge hit last year so start getting excited now! On Saturday 22nd and 29th of November, we will be running drop-in craft sessions (2pm – 4pm).
We will provide wool, felt, pom-poms etc – please bring a spare old jumper or t-shirt if you have one! We will provide some old jumpers as well.
We can’t wait, and we look forward to seeing you all wearing your beautiful Christmas or festive jumpers throughout December!
Muirhouse Library Guitar Group
TUESDAYS 3.45 – 4.30pm
Muirhouse Library have a guitar group for ages 10+ on Tuesday afternoons.
No guitar? No problem – you can borrow one from their Musical Instrument Lending library!
Come along to our Guitar group on Tuesday afternoons!