
ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more
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View all →About This Event
Alan Spence will guide a session at ScotlandsFest, the literary festival hosted by Luath Press during the Edinburgh Fringe, at St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church on Monday 24 August 2026, beginning at midday. The event, titled A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more, delves into notions of simplicity and mindfulness through poetry and conversation. Spence, a poet and playwright, draws upon his own creative work and wider spiritual traditions to steer the discussion. Attendees can expect a reflective exploration of how embracing less can lead to greater clarity and calm. Tickets for the session are available at prices ranging from £6.13 to £11.55.
Join Alan Spence at ScotlandsFest, Luath Press's literary festival during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Join Alan Spence, former Edinburgh Makar and author of the cult-classic Glasgow Zen and upcoming sequel A Wee Bit Zen for conversation and short-form poetry from a trickster with words and a mesmerising performer of his own work. Haiku, found poems, sound poems, text poems, puns and one-liners, overheard word-on-the-street poems, everyday zen, timeless poems of the here and now, poignant, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny. ‘Spence is a calm and necessary visionary.’ (Ali Smith). ‘Poetry with the gloves off.’ (Liz Lochhead).
~
ScotlandsFest is Luath Press' annual festival during the Edinburgh fringe, celebrating the vibrant literary, cultural and political landscape of Scotland. There are many Scotlands, so many ideas of what Scotland is and can be. Each of us carries our own vision, our own experiences and our own perspectives of our nation. At ScotlandsFest, we celebrate these many Scotlands as seen through the eyes of the poet, the artist and the scholar.
Whether you live here or are visiting, make the most of your time at the Fringe. Discover ScotlandsFest. Big thinking in a small country – thought-provoking discussions, immersive storytelling, history, poetry, politics and more.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
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Frequently asked questions
ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more takes place on Monday, 24 August 2026 at 12:00.
ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more is held at St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church in Edinburgh (14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW).
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more range from £6.13 to £11.55. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church.
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ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more
Editorial Summary
Alan Spence will guide a session at ScotlandsFest, the literary festival hosted by Luath Press during the Edinburgh Fringe, at St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church on Monday 24 August 2026, beginning at midday. The event, titled A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more, delves into notions of simplicity and mindfulness through poetry and conversation. Spence, a poet and playwright, draws upon his own creative work and wider spiritual traditions to steer the discussion. Attendees can expect a reflective exploration of how embracing less can lead to greater clarity and calm. Tickets for the session are available at prices ranging from £6.13 to £11.55.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
Organiser’s full description
Join Alan Spence at ScotlandsFest, Luath Press's literary festival during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Join Alan Spence, former Edinburgh Makar and author of the cult-classic Glasgow Zen and upcoming sequel A Wee Bit Zen for conversation and short-form poetry from a trickster with words and a mesmerising performer of his own work. Haiku, found poems, sound poems, text poems, puns and one-liners, overheard word-on-the-street poems, everyday zen, timeless poems of the here and now, poignant, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny. ‘Spence is a calm and necessary visionary.’ (Ali Smith). ‘Poetry with the gloves off.’ (Liz Lochhead).
~
ScotlandsFest is Luath Press' annual festival during the Edinburgh fringe, celebrating the vibrant literary, cultural and political landscape of Scotland. There are many Scotlands, so many ideas of what Scotland is and can be. Each of us carries our own vision, our own experiences and our own perspectives of our nation. At ScotlandsFest, we celebrate these many Scotlands as seen through the eyes of the poet, the artist and the scholar.
Whether you live here or are visiting, make the most of your time at the Fringe. Discover ScotlandsFest. Big thinking in a small country – thought-provoking discussions, immersive storytelling, history, poetry, politics and more.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
📍 Venue
St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW
Get Directions →❓ Frequently asked questions
When is ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more?
ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more takes place on Monday, 24 August 2026 at 12:00.
Where is ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more taking place?
ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more is held at St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church in Edinburgh (14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW).
How much are tickets for ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more?
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more range from £6.13 to £11.55. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
How do I get tickets for ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more?
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: A Wee Bit Zen – when less is more can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
🏨 Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Tickets from
£6.13
Date
Until Monday, 24 August 2026
Time
Weather
feels like 15°C · chance of rain 1% · wind 7 km/h
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