Bre Martin author and bookseller
We are very excited to announce that our latest publication will be featured in the Wigtown Book Festival, an event that starts on the 24th of September. Author Bre Martin will talk about his book on Thursday 1st October in an event that started off in the town’s County Buildings but has now been moved to the main marquee due to ticket sales.
The launch of the book has hit the headlines with features on the BBC Scotland website and a photo in The Herald newspaper with an article also in The Sunday Post.
The book Kirkyard Chronicles features a curated selection of stories that have been featured in some of Bre’s regular talks on the lives of people buried in the graveyards of Wigtownshire. Bre has found these places fascinating since he was a child and he went on to research people remembered there – though not always with a headstone. He began holding talks in New Chapter Books, the business he owns and runs with wife Lou, and soon found that he had a keen and regular audience. Many supporters of his talks started to encourage him to turn the tales into a book.
Although the subjects of his stories are all remembered or interned in Wigtownshire kirkyards, their lives took them all over the world and make a fascinating read for anyone interested in social history. From simple acts of courage only yards from home, to journeys to faraway places – people from this corner of south west Scotland often found themselves in extraordinary situations. There are mysteries, murders, tragedies, and inspirational stories of courage and fortitude that reflect the challenges of life for our ancestors during the 19th century.
Publisher Jayne Baldwin said: “Through the lives of ordinary people we explore not only social history but also some of the major events of the Victorian period including the American Civil War, and battles on the high seas. This is a book full of amazing stories that are sometimes hilarious and at other times extraordinarily moving.”
Kirkyard Chronicles is available now on this website at a special price until the 1st of October 2026 when it will go up to the rrp of £11.99.
The photos featured here are both by the official Festival photographer.