Granite Noir 2024

Granite Noir is inspired by the incredible popularity of crime fiction in all its forms, by the fantastic contribution that Scottish writers make, by our love affair with Nordic Noir, on the page and on screen, and most of all inspired by Aberdeen, which is the perfect backdrop for the festival – steeped in history, atmospheric, quirky and with a strong sense of place.

Granite Noir is produced by Aberdeen Performing Arts on behalf of Aberdeen City Libraries and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives.

New for 2024, Granite Noir has teamed up with the Press and Journal and Evening Express to launch a new short story competition.  Open to writers of 18 years and above, stories of between 1500 and 2000 words should be written on any of themes explored in this year’s Granite Noir programme and submitted by Sunday 28 January 2024.  A shortlist of five stories will be decided by the panel of judges in February and the winner announced at the Festival.

One lucky winner will receive:

• Their story published in the Press and Journal and Evening Express
• Book vouchers
• Aberdeen Performing Arts vouchers
• A framed book cover of your story

Entries are to be submitted to gncomp@aberdeenperformingarts.com by midnight on Sunday 28 January 2024.

Please see the Terms and Conditions for entry

Gunpowder, Tattoos and Transportation: Aberdeen’s Inked Convicts

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives

The practice of tattooing is deeply rooted in the ancient world, transcending time and cultures. Nineteenth century European criminologists were fascinated with attempting to establish a connection between tattoos and the criminal underclass. With a spotlight on the Perth Prison Register and Register of Returned Convicts held within the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, this exhibition brings back to life the tattoos of some of the city’s most notorious criminals. Sentenced to transportation or hard labour for crimes ranging from thievery to murder, the exhibition explores the history and meanings of these distinctive tattoos.

Tuesday 20 to Sunday 25 February 2024

Free exhibition in the Music Hall