The Open Book: Wigtown Book Festival’s Hidden Gem
The Wigtown Book Festival continues this weekend, but did you know there’s an Airbnb called The Open Book where you can live out your dream of running a bookshop?
Wigtown is Scotland’s National Book Town and has been since 1998. Every year, the Wigtown Book Festival takes over the town, and with seventeen bookshops and a programme of over 200 events it’s ever book lovers dream.
The Open Book is just the cherry on top for any Wigtown visitors. This unique attraction has been running for a decade now, and is so popular that it’s often completely “booked out” with a two-year waiting list.
It’s a volunteer-run enterprise created by author and filmmaker Jessica Fox, which gives you a place to stay and dream job to do. If you have ever fantasised about running a bookshop, even just for a day, this is your dream come true.
The Open Book’s aim is “to celebrate books, independent bookshops and welcome people from around the world to Scotland’s National Book Town.”
As it stands, The Open Book contributes around £10,000 each year to the Wigtown Festival Company’s charitable work.
The second-hand bookshop and self-catering apartment has been rented by bookworms from all over the world, and the stock includes subjects such as Scottish Interest, History, Gardening, Fiction, Politics, Crafts and Children’s Books to name a few.
During their stay, guests are pretty much in full control. They are encouraged to really make themselves at home and are welcome to change displays, price books, and re-categorise them. Some guests prefer to follow a tried and true method, while others have spent their time on the waiting list coming up with some really creative ideas for their stay.
Situated on the corner of the main street of Wigtown, you really are in the heart of it, especially during festival time. Even if you don’t manage to secure your own stay, it’s a highly recommended spot to visit if you are ever in town, or at this weekend’s Wigtown Book Festival!
