What’s on at Innerpeffray
The Library runs events throughout the year: exhibitions from the collection, talks and workshops inspired by the Library, and music and social events to raise funds for running costs and special projects. Find all the dates for your diary and a downloadable copy of our Footnotes newsletter on this page.
If you are not able to visit us, we have a selection of videos to enjoy from your armchair on our website, bringing alive the collection with our Keeper of Books and Volunteers.
For tickets: Book online via the links given above, or tel. 01764 652819, email info@innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk.
Dates for Your Diary
| Fri 5th – Sun 7th September | The Innerpeffray Festival. Our festival is back once more, bringing you talks, workshops and music, all celebrating the joy of reading. Hear talks from authors David Greig and Lucy MacRae, music from innovative duo ‘Things Found in Books‘, and try your hand at poetry writing with Jennie Turnbull and bookbinding with Marion Archibald. Find the full festival timetable and ticket booking links here. This year, the Festival has been sponsored by the kind support of the Friends of Innerpeffray. |
| Wed 8th October, 7pm | The Ted Powell Memorial Lecture. The Friends of Innerpeffray are delighted to invite the Hon. Lord Duthie to deliver this annual lecture entitled “Somalian Pirates in the Mombasa Courts – What I did on my Summer Holidays”. Tickets available here |
| Thu 16th October, 2pm & 7pm | Friends Tour with the Keeper – Members of the Friends of Innerpeffray are invited to attend an exclusive tour of the Library’s exhibition with the Keeper of Books. Booking essential, spaces limited. Free for Friends, Guests £10. Tickets available here for the afternoon tour. Tickets available here for the evening tour. |
| Wed 19th Nov at 7pm | Nunkie Theatre Three tales of the restless dead, by the master of the English ghost story. In Rats a reading holiday in a quiet coastal inn is thrown into confusion by a horribly thin Something in the neighbouring room. In An Evening’s Entertainment a blackberry thicket on a country lane conceals the site of a blasphemous and bloody ritual. And in The Tractate Middoth the bookstacks of a University Library are host to an unnaturally strong smell of dust… There are no safe spaces in the world of M R James. Suitable for ages 14+. The programme will start promptly at 7pm – latecomers will not be admitted. Book tickets here. |
| Fri 7th & Sat 8th Nov 10am – 4pm | Festive Fayre – Find special, thoughtful gifts from local craft-makers and Innerpeffray’s exclusive book and gift range at our popular fayre in the Schoolroom – free entry, easy parking, refreshments. |
| Sat 22nd & Sun 23 Nov at 2.30pm – 5pm | Festive Wreath Making Workshop Make a woodland wreath.Such a popular event that this year we are running it twice! Come and learn how to make a spectacular wreath using locally gathered seasonal plants. Led by Gwyneth Hardy, who was executive producer of the Beechgrove Gardens for 30 years. Refreshments and all materials provided. Tickets £35, available to book here. |
| Sun 7 Dec at 3pm | Carols at Innerpeffray – tickets coming soon. |
2025 Exhibition – Book Marking
Our exhibition in 2025 celebrates books from our collection whose previous owners and readers have marked the books with their own observations, notes and drawings – adding to the history of the volumes and telling fascinating stories of their own.
Download our latest newsletter below:
Browse the Books : Library of Innerpeffray Catalogue Launch
Scotland’s first, free, public lending library is delighted to launch its new catalogue in 2025. Join our team and our special guests Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian and Sir Alexander McCall Smith, Author for an introduction to Innerpeffray and its collections, a short guide to searching the catalogue and a chance to ask questions about the collection and the catalogue. Watch the launch recording here.
Innerpeffray’s collection includes rare books from the founding of the Library in 1680 including around 500 books from Founder’s collection and many more added in the 18th century when the new library building was established. There are novels and journals bought in the 19th century, as well as more recent additions. The catalogue will enable you to search, for the first time, the Scottish Collection of first editions donated by Janet Burns Saint Germain in 2013.
Although you can’t borrow books at Innerpeffray any more, all books in the collection and exhibitions are available to read, so please do ask if you have an interest in a particular subject. Only our very fragile books are exceptions to this and our guides are always happy to assist.
In the schoolroom
Free entry, open during usual Library opening hours. Tea/Coffee available, and pre-loved books for sale (honesty box). Please note the schoolroom may be closed to accommodate private bookings and events, do call to check to avoid disappointment.
Private Bookings, Weddings, Special Events
If you would like to hold a private event at the Library, Schoolroom or both please do get in touch. We are delighted to hold book launches, weddings, birthday treats and private tours outwith opening hours.