Alycia Pirmohamed – 'Shorelines: Memory, Migration and the Selves We Become'

We’re thrilled to have award-winning poet and essayist Alycia Pirmohamed back to our festival to celebrate ‘Shorelines’ (Canongate, 2026), her Nan Shepherd Prize-winning debut work of non-fiction. This striking new book traces migration, memory, faith, race, and belonging across landscapes stretching from Canada and East Africa to the Pacific Northwest and the British Isles. Blending memoir with lyrical nature writing, ‘Shorelines’ explores hidden histories, family loss, inherited homelands, and the uneasy question of who feels welcome in the natural world. Discover a powerful, formally inventive book about how place, identity, community, and memory shape who we become across borders and generations.

Accessibility

We are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive attendee experience. In line with fire safety regulations attendees using a wheelchair must be able to self-transfer to an evac chair in order to safely evacuate the building.

If you have specific accessibility needs or accommodation requests please let us know during registration or contact us in advance by emailing divinity.news@ed.ac.uk.

Additional information can be found at Accessibility Information: New College

Venue & Travel

The event will take place at New College on the Mound. Please access via the glass door through main gated entrance.

New College is very accessible on foot, bike and bus. We would encourage all attendees to consider sustainable travel options to the event. Car parking is not available and limited only to nearby street parking:

Find parking bays – The City of Edinburgh Council

Further information on the venue and travel options can be found at

Travel Options

Description supplied by the event organiser.