Alexander McCall Smith
@mccallsmith.bsky.social
Alexander McCall Smith is the author of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, the Sunday Philosophy Club and the 44 Scotland Street series.
Happy Halloween! 🎃 We truly have the perfect book for the season with Alexander’s latest No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novel, In the Time of Five Pumpkins. If you have read this one already, do share your thoughts!
October 31, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Happy Halloween! 🎃 We truly have the perfect book for the season with Alexander’s latest No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novel, In the Time of Five Pumpkins. If you have read this one already, do share your thoughts!
Six friends. One city. The time of their lives. The Private Side of
Friendship is the brand new stand-alone novel from Alexander McCall
Smith, which sees four Edinburgh university flatmates reunite after graduation in 1988, navigating friendships and love amid the background of the Miners’ Strike.
Friendship is the brand new stand-alone novel from Alexander McCall
Smith, which sees four Edinburgh university flatmates reunite after graduation in 1988, navigating friendships and love amid the background of the Miners’ Strike.
October 1, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Six friends. One city. The time of their lives. The Private Side of
Friendship is the brand new stand-alone novel from Alexander McCall
Smith, which sees four Edinburgh university flatmates reunite after graduation in 1988, navigating friendships and love amid the background of the Miners’ Strike.
Friendship is the brand new stand-alone novel from Alexander McCall
Smith, which sees four Edinburgh university flatmates reunite after graduation in 1988, navigating friendships and love amid the background of the Miners’ Strike.
On Saturday, Alexander took part in a very special event at Braemar
Literary Festival.
Hosted by Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room, Alexander celebrated the return of favourite characters in Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream and In The Time of Five Pumpkins.
Literary Festival.
Hosted by Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room, Alexander celebrated the return of favourite characters in Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream and In The Time of Five Pumpkins.
September 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
On Saturday, Alexander took part in a very special event at Braemar
Literary Festival.
Hosted by Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room, Alexander celebrated the return of favourite characters in Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream and In The Time of Five Pumpkins.
Literary Festival.
Hosted by Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room, Alexander celebrated the return of favourite characters in Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream and In The Time of Five Pumpkins.
Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party in the running for the Vintage Bollinger Prize!
Ten years ago, Alexander won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction for his novel Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party, and is now in the running for its 'winner of winners' prize!
Ten years ago, Alexander won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction for his novel Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party, and is now in the running for its 'winner of winners' prize!
September 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party in the running for the Vintage Bollinger Prize!
Ten years ago, Alexander won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction for his novel Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party, and is now in the running for its 'winner of winners' prize!
Ten years ago, Alexander won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction for his novel Fatty O'Leary's Dinner Party, and is now in the running for its 'winner of winners' prize!
The Great Hippopotamus Hotel, the latest No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
novel, is now out in paperback in the UK!
Visit your local bookshop to dive into the wonderful world of
Alexander McCall Smith's writing!
novel, is now out in paperback in the UK!
Visit your local bookshop to dive into the wonderful world of
Alexander McCall Smith's writing!
August 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The Great Hippopotamus Hotel, the latest No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
novel, is now out in paperback in the UK!
Visit your local bookshop to dive into the wonderful world of
Alexander McCall Smith's writing!
novel, is now out in paperback in the UK!
Visit your local bookshop to dive into the wonderful world of
Alexander McCall Smith's writing!
"It’s like ice cream, Mr Flynn," Bertie continued. "When you have ice
cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts."
When despair for the world grows, Bertie’s theory of ice cream reminds
us of the simple pleasures in life.
Alexander's new novel is out today!
cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts."
When despair for the world grows, Bertie’s theory of ice cream reminds
us of the simple pleasures in life.
Alexander's new novel is out today!
August 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
"It’s like ice cream, Mr Flynn," Bertie continued. "When you have ice
cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts."
When despair for the world grows, Bertie’s theory of ice cream reminds
us of the simple pleasures in life.
Alexander's new novel is out today!
cream, you need to eat it straight away, otherwise it melts."
When despair for the world grows, Bertie’s theory of ice cream reminds
us of the simple pleasures in life.
Alexander's new novel is out today!
Today is World Oyster Day, the perfect date to celebrate some folk’s favourite seafood. Whether oysters are up your street or not, why not sit back this evening with a glass of champagne and read Alexander’s recently published The Lost Language of Oysters!
August 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Today is World Oyster Day, the perfect date to celebrate some folk’s favourite seafood. Whether oysters are up your street or not, why not sit back this evening with a glass of champagne and read Alexander’s recently published The Lost Language of Oysters!
Alexander McCall Smith was delighted to hear that – for the second year running – The Great Tapestry of Scotland centre in Galashiels, which he was heavily involved in creating, has been awarded a place in Tripadvisor’s Top 10% of Attractions worldwide. Congratulations to the Tapestry team!
July 26, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Alexander McCall Smith was delighted to hear that – for the second year running – The Great Tapestry of Scotland centre in Galashiels, which he was heavily involved in creating, has been awarded a place in Tripadvisor’s Top 10% of Attractions worldwide. Congratulations to the Tapestry team!
Today is the UK publication day for this brand new edition of Alexander’s charming novel, Trains and Lovers. ❤️
In this surprising and poignant story, four strangers meet on a journey from Edinburgh to London. What unfolds is a beautiful tale of love and railways.
In this surprising and poignant story, four strangers meet on a journey from Edinburgh to London. What unfolds is a beautiful tale of love and railways.
July 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Today is the UK publication day for this brand new edition of Alexander’s charming novel, Trains and Lovers. ❤️
In this surprising and poignant story, four strangers meet on a journey from Edinburgh to London. What unfolds is a beautiful tale of love and railways.
In this surprising and poignant story, four strangers meet on a journey from Edinburgh to London. What unfolds is a beautiful tale of love and railways.
Have you read the latest Alexander McCall Smith novel yet? The Lost Language of Oysters is the most recent in his Professor von Igelfeld series, in which there is the possibility of a trip to Louisiana, where important research is being undertaken into communication among oysters.🦪
June 30, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Have you read the latest Alexander McCall Smith novel yet? The Lost Language of Oysters is the most recent in his Professor von Igelfeld series, in which there is the possibility of a trip to Louisiana, where important research is being undertaken into communication among oysters.🦪
Alexander is once again attending the @edbookfest.bsky.social this year with an event on 15th August! In-person tickets have already sold out but check back later for returns, or book your online ticket now!
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
June 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Alexander is once again attending the @edbookfest.bsky.social this year with an event on 15th August! In-person tickets have already sold out but check back later for returns, or book your online ticket now!
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
The @edbookfest.bsky.social programme is live! Alexander will be speaking at an event in Edinburgh on 15th August, discussing his most recent novels.
Browse the events now ahead of tickets going on sale on Saturday!
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
Browse the events now ahead of tickets going on sale on Saturday!
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
Watch online: Alexander McCall Smith: Here’s the Scoop
From Fri 15 Aug - The mighty Alexander McCall Smith brings us all of his latest works including Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream (the latest in his beloved 44 Scotland Street series) and In the Time of Fi...
www.edbookfest.co.uk
June 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The @edbookfest.bsky.social programme is live! Alexander will be speaking at an event in Edinburgh on 15th August, discussing his most recent novels.
Browse the events now ahead of tickets going on sale on Saturday!
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
Browse the events now ahead of tickets going on sale on Saturday!
www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...
It's a double-whammy publication week! Now available in the UK is the latest latest Professor von Igelfeld novel, The Lost Language of Oysters, as well as the paperback edition of The Conditions of Unconditional Love, the fifteenth Isabel Dalhousie novel. 📚
June 6, 2025 at 5:35 PM
It's a double-whammy publication week! Now available in the UK is the latest latest Professor von Igelfeld novel, The Lost Language of Oysters, as well as the paperback edition of The Conditions of Unconditional Love, the fifteenth Isabel Dalhousie novel. 📚
Alexander is appearing later this month at the International Literature Festival Dublin!
Join us for an evening of wit and warmth with one of the world’s best-loved authors!
Find out more:
ilfdublin.com/.../where-ha...
Join us for an evening of wit and warmth with one of the world’s best-loved authors!
Find out more:
ilfdublin.com/.../where-ha...
May 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Alexander is appearing later this month at the International Literature Festival Dublin!
Join us for an evening of wit and warmth with one of the world’s best-loved authors!
Find out more:
ilfdublin.com/.../where-ha...
Join us for an evening of wit and warmth with one of the world’s best-loved authors!
Find out more:
ilfdublin.com/.../where-ha...
The Winds from Further West is out today in paperback! Described by BBC Radio 4 as 'a call to arms for a better society', this novel is set between Edinburgh and the beautiful Hebrides, and is a wonderfully atmospheric novel about chance encounters.
birlinn.co.uk/product/the-...
birlinn.co.uk/product/the-...
May 1, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The Winds from Further West is out today in paperback! Described by BBC Radio 4 as 'a call to arms for a better society', this novel is set between Edinburgh and the beautiful Hebrides, and is a wonderfully atmospheric novel about chance encounters.
birlinn.co.uk/product/the-...
birlinn.co.uk/product/the-...
Over the last week, Alexander has been out travelling on a very special Readers’ Safari in glorious Botswana, home to Precious Ramotswe and The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. His friend Mats Ögren Wanger has sent some outstanding photographs from the Okavango for us to share.
April 29, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Over the last week, Alexander has been out travelling on a very special Readers’ Safari in glorious Botswana, home to Precious Ramotswe and The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. His friend Mats Ögren Wanger has sent some outstanding photographs from the Okavango for us to share.
Alexander is back in his happy place, Botswana! He is joining readers from around the world for a very special safari experience in the country.
On Sunday they visited Elephant Havens, a charity Alexander is very happy to support – their mission is to protect and preserve the African Elephant.
On Sunday they visited Elephant Havens, a charity Alexander is very happy to support – their mission is to protect and preserve the African Elephant.
April 23, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Alexander is back in his happy place, Botswana! He is joining readers from around the world for a very special safari experience in the country.
On Sunday they visited Elephant Havens, a charity Alexander is very happy to support – their mission is to protect and preserve the African Elephant.
On Sunday they visited Elephant Havens, a charity Alexander is very happy to support – their mission is to protect and preserve the African Elephant.
In January, Alexander travelled to South Africa to work with his good friend, Nicholas Ellenbogen on a play, Darwin: A Curious Mind. It is now playing there to rave reviews.
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/darwin-...
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/darwin-...
April 18, 2025 at 10:05 AM
In January, Alexander travelled to South Africa to work with his good friend, Nicholas Ellenbogen on a play, Darwin: A Curious Mind. It is now playing there to rave reviews.
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/darwin-...
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/darwin-...
Have a look at Alexander's website for this month's story calendar, an exclusive short essay 'Manners Count' where Alexander muses on morality and manners in the modern age.
Check it out:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...
Check it out:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...
April 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Have a look at Alexander's website for this month's story calendar, an exclusive short essay 'Manners Count' where Alexander muses on morality and manners in the modern age.
Check it out:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...
Check it out:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...
Happy Mother's Day to all of Alexander's readers! 💐
March 30, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Happy Mother's Day to all of Alexander's readers! 💐
Alexander is very touched by the many lovely reader letters and emails he receives from all across the world. ✉️
Many of them reflect on the peace and happiness that his characters bring them. What is it you enjoy about Alexander's writing?
Many of them reflect on the peace and happiness that his characters bring them. What is it you enjoy about Alexander's writing?
March 21, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Alexander is very touched by the many lovely reader letters and emails he receives from all across the world. ✉️
Many of them reflect on the peace and happiness that his characters bring them. What is it you enjoy about Alexander's writing?
Many of them reflect on the peace and happiness that his characters bring them. What is it you enjoy about Alexander's writing?
Alexander is taking part in some UK events in May this year! 📚
Make sure to check out his website for full details of all forthcoming book events and to buy tickets. Alexander looks forward to seeing you there!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/category/eve...
Make sure to check out his website for full details of all forthcoming book events and to buy tickets. Alexander looks forward to seeing you there!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/category/eve...
March 19, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Alexander is taking part in some UK events in May this year! 📚
Make sure to check out his website for full details of all forthcoming book events and to buy tickets. Alexander looks forward to seeing you there!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/category/eve...
Make sure to check out his website for full details of all forthcoming book events and to buy tickets. Alexander looks forward to seeing you there!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/category/eve...
Join Alexander McCall Smith in conversation with Nick Higham at the Oxford Literary Festival on Friday 4th April. Tickets available now.
oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-e...
oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-e...
An Audience with Alexander McCall Smith | Oxford Literary Festival
Alexander McCall Smith talks to Nick Higham - An Audience with Alexander McCall Smith
oxfordliteraryfestival.org
March 6, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Join Alexander McCall Smith in conversation with Nick Higham at the Oxford Literary Festival on Friday 4th April. Tickets available now.
oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-e...
oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-e...
Big news! 🌟
Award-winning production company Synchronicity Films have optioned the rights for screen development to the internationally popular Isabel Dalhousie novels from best-selling author Sir Alexander McCall Smith.
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/screen-...
Award-winning production company Synchronicity Films have optioned the rights for screen development to the internationally popular Isabel Dalhousie novels from best-selling author Sir Alexander McCall Smith.
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/screen-...
March 3, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Big news! 🌟
Award-winning production company Synchronicity Films have optioned the rights for screen development to the internationally popular Isabel Dalhousie novels from best-selling author Sir Alexander McCall Smith.
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/screen-...
Award-winning production company Synchronicity Films have optioned the rights for screen development to the internationally popular Isabel Dalhousie novels from best-selling author Sir Alexander McCall Smith.
Read more:
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/news/screen-...
'Her business was an unusual one—an introductions agency, or marriage bureau, as she sometimes described it, called the Perfect Passion Company.'
Read an extract from Alexander's latest book Looking for You on his website!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...
Read an extract from Alexander's latest book Looking for You on his website!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...
March 1, 2025 at 12:24 PM
'Her business was an unusual one—an introductions agency, or marriage bureau, as she sometimes described it, called the Perfect Passion Company.'
Read an extract from Alexander's latest book Looking for You on his website!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...
Read an extract from Alexander's latest book Looking for You on his website!
www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/story-calend...