Events Programme 2024

Library Social: Robert Louis Stevenson

national library of scotland, edinburgh
10.30am, FRIday november 8

A RELAXED start to Robert Louis Stevenson Week with a social event where people living with dementia, their families, carers and supporters can celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson in a friendly atmosphere with refreshments, reliving their memories of his most famous stories such as Treasure Island. To reserve a place contact Beverley Casebow, at b.casebow@nls.uk

The Body Snatcher

typewronger books, haddington place, Edinburgh
8pm, Sunday november 10

AFTER writing The Body Snatcher in a cottage in Pitlochry, Robert Louis Stevenson had doubts about publishing it, fearing the subject was beyond the pale. But the Pall Mall Gazette had no such qualms and ran it in a lurid 1884 Christmas Special – Stevenson had to give it to them because the original story he submitted was too short. He resisted having it reprinted in a collection of his stories, but The Body Snatcher now appears in all its gory glory in a new riso-printed edition from Typewronger Books. Join Typewronger publisher Tee Hodges and their RLS biographer father Jeremy for a horrific but free launch event poised between Halloween and RLS Day.

The Education Of An Engineer

writers’ museum, lady stair’s close, edinburgh
2pm, Wednesday november 13

JOIN members and friends of the Robert Louis Stevenson Club for a series of readings reliving reluctant attempts by the young RLS, pictured, to become part of the Stevenson dynasty of lighthouse engineers which built all the lights around the coast of Scotland as well as several harbours. The story unfolds in Stevenson’s own words as we travel from Anstruther, Wick and the island of Earraid to Orkney, Shetland and Fair Isle. Free, unticketed hour-long event – drop by and celebrate RLS Day.

Samoa And Stevenson

national library of scotland, edinburgh
5.30pm, Wednesday november 13

FROM 1890 to 1894, Robert Louis Stevenson made his home on the Pacific island of Samoa, where he is still held in high regard today. Join a panel of Pacific researchers and artists to explore the life and legacy of RLS in Samoa, with the screening of a film made by young Samoan film makers. Event currently sold out but there may be cancellations – click on the picture and follow the links to join the wait list. Meanwhile, an all-day academic symposium staged by Edinburgh University is running in parallel – for details and to book a free place, click here. And from November 8, the library is mounting  a Robert Louis Stevenson and the Pacific display.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Road To The Pentlands

lauriston castle, edinburgh
10.30am, Wednesday november 13

SWANSTON is is one of the most enduringly beautiful areas of Edinburgh, set in the Pentland Hills, and it is where Robert Louis Stevenson had his summer home, pictured right. Retired journalist Mike Lewis will uncover the author’s long association with the area and its colourful history. Event sold out but may be repeated at a later date.

Robert Louis Stevenson and
Katherine Mansfield in Menton

french institute, edinburgh
6pm, thursday november 14

  THEY never met, but Robert Louis Stevenson and Katharine Mansfield had much in common. In addition to writing short stories, they were both fine poets – and both spent time convalescing from pulmonary disease on the Riviera at Menton. Robert Louis Stevenson Club member Martin White will tell a little of Stevenson and Mansfield’s time there, while Dr Ainsley McIntosh will compare their poems on similar subjects, and poet and Interpret magazine editor James Appleby will speak of the challenges of translating their work into French. Event free to French Institut members, £5 to others, and is accessible to non-French speakers. To book tickets, click on either picture.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Unbirthday Party 2024

monterey public library
2PM, SATURday november 16

WHEN Annie Ide, the 12-year-old daughter of the American Land Commissioner in Samoa, told RLS of her disappointment that there were no special celebrations to mark her birthday on Christmas Day, he came up with an ingenious solution. As a qualified Scottish advocate, he drew up a legal document declaring: ‘I, Robert Louis Stevenson . . . have transferred and do hereby transfer to the said A.H. Ide, all and whole my rights and privileges in the thirteenth day of November, formerly my birthday, now, hereby and henceforth, the birthday of the said A.H. Ide.’ Now each year the Robert Louis Stevenson Club of Monterey holds an Unbirthday Party celebrating the author’s time in California. This year, Monterey State Historic Park Guide Stuart Thornton will give a talk about shipwrecks on the coastline where Stevenson would stroll and form plans for his future with Fanny Osbourne. All welcome to attend and enjoy a slice of Unbirthday Cake.

Stevenson’s Absent Heart

THE Absent Heart, a new novel about the young RLS’s
platonic love affair and long correspondence with the unhappily married Fanny Sitwell, will be published in March 2025. Meanwhile, author Ali Bacon is sharing her research into Mrs Sitwell, Sidney Colvin, Fanny Stevenson and many other topics in a monthly newsletter. To access the newsletter click on the sketch of Mrs Sitwell by Sir Edward Burne-Jones.

Celebrating Robert Louis Stevenson

fingal, the shore, leith
7Pm, saturday november 16

AS Engineers to the Northern Lighthouse Board, Robert Louis Stevenson’s grandfather, father and uncles made annual tours of Scotland’s lighthouses in a well-appointed steam yacht or tender. The last such vessel, Fingal, is now a luxury floating hotel docked in Leith – and will be celebrating RLS in style at a sumptuous four-course dinner. After champagne and a Treasure Island cocktail, guests will enjoy a musical entertainment and talk by actor and RLS aficionado Nigel Planer. To book tickets at £175 a head, click on the picture of Fingal.

A European View of Stevenson

SCOTLAND’S much-loved author made an international impact and his work is still enjoyed throughout Europe, where it is celebrated throughout the European Network In The Footsteps Of Robert Louis Stevenson. To mark European Heritage Days 2024, the Canals du Nord section of the network created a brief visual introduction to Stevenson and his work. To view it, click on the portrait.

Rare Treasure Island

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND, edinburgh

A RARE edition of Treasure Island which many regard as the most beautifully illustrated version ever produced will be on display at the National Library of Scotland throughout RLS Week. Only 50 copies were ever printed of the ‘Edition de luxe’, published in 1927 by Ernest Benn with watercolour illustrations by Edmund Dulac. The library was recently able to acquire No 49, which is now part of its Treasures exhibition. This illustration is captioned ‘Striking the Jolly Roger’.

A Fortunate Voyager with friends the world over

AS one of the world’s best-loved authors, Robert Louis Stevenson continues to inspire people from all walks of life, from writers and film-makers to academics, politicians and many other fellow travellers on life’s voyage. A unique collection celebrating the centenary of the Robert Louis Stevenson Club brings together tributes from 60 such travellers, including Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, crime writers Ian Rankin and Val McDermid, children’s author Michael Morpurgo, and Sir Paul McCartney, a Treasure Island fan since childhood. The book is the perfect accompaniment to RLS Day or as a Christmas gift to anyone who loves Robert Louis Stevenson. Copies, price £9.99, can be ordered by emailing info@typewronger.com or by calling at Typewronger Books, 4A Haddington Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AE.