Scottish literature has a long and distinguished history. It includes some of the most widely read classics of all times, from Ossian and J M Barrie to Robert Louis Stevenson and Conan Doyle, as well as works from internationally acclaimed contemporary writers such as Muriel Spark, Irvine Welsh, Alexander McCall Smith and J K Rowling. Scotland’s distinguished position in the literary world continues to develop, and literary art is celebrated throughout the year with a variety of events including book festivals, readings and creative workshops.