Jackie Kay - Porty Pride Evening
Attendance options:
Brought to you in partnership with Porty Pride and The Portobello Bookshop, this event offers a unique opportunity to spend time with a writer whose work has shaped contemporary literature and spoken powerfully to themes of identity, belonging, love, and community.
Jackie Kay is an award-winning poet, novelist, and former Makar of Scotland, widely recognised for her warmth, wit, and deeply human storytelling. From her groundbreaking debut collection The Adoption Papers, which explores family, race, and identity through multiple voices, to her more recent work including May Day, her writing continues to resonate with honesty, insight, and emotional depth.
This evening will celebrate the breadth of Jackie Kay’s extraordinary career tracing the journey from her early work to her latest writing alongside readings, reflections, and conversation.
Whether you’ve followed her work for years or are discovering it for the first time, this promises to be a rich, welcoming, and inspiring event.
Come and be part of an evening that celebrates storytelling, connection, and the enduring power of words. We look forward to welcoming you.
Please note: The £5 ticket option for this event is not a voucher, so it is not redeemable against the price of the book at the event.
Please note: Tickets for our events are non-refundable. Professional photography and videography may take place during this event. Thank you for your understanding.
Participants:
Jackie Kay Author
Jackie Kay was born and brought up in Scotland. She is the author of—among other books—The Adoption Papers, which won the Forward Prize, Red Dust Road, winner of the Scottish Book of the Year Award, Trumpet, and the Costa-shortlisted Fiere. She was the third Makar, or National Poet for Scotland (2016-2021). She is a Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Salford. Her latest collection May Day was published in 2024 to great acclaim.
The venue
The Portobello Bookshop
46 Portobello High Street
Edinburgh
EH15 1DA
Telephone: 0131 629 6756
Website: www.theportobellobookshop.com
Wheelchair Access
We have a ramp at the front of the shop which has a ratio of 1:10 and loading capacity of 300kg, and so should be able to be used by most wheelchair users or those with mobility vehicles. The front doors are fully automated. Our shop interior is designed to allow access throughout for wheelchair users and prams, though please note there is only 700mm wide clearance to access the staff toilet.
Sound
We use a PA system to enhance the audio at our live events. We also have a hearing loop system installed, if you’d like to use our loop system during an event please let us know and we’ll make sure we have it set up and connected to the live audio feed during the event. If you wish to attend an event and require BSL interpretation, please give us a few weeks notice and we’ll do our best to arrange an interpreter.