Ann Cleeves, the internationally renowned best-selling crime writer whose books inspired the BBC TV series Shetland, is to join a group of visitors on an exclusive 'Bloody' holiday to Britain's most northerly islands with award-winning tour operator, McKinlay Kidd and Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival, Bloody Scotland.

A dream holiday for fans of crime writing, the unique three-night Bloody Shetland with Ann Cleeves adventurebegins as the Bloody Scotland festival, in the historic city of Stirling, draws to a close on Sunday 13 September 2015.

The group will travel to a top-secret location on the magical Shetland islands where, following an overnight stay in one of the islands' most welcoming hotels, Ann Cleeves will join the group for a full day's exploration of the stunning locations that inspired her writing and which also appear in the hit BBC TV series (the third season of which is due to be screened later this year). The day will conclude with a fun murder mystery evening in one of the hotels featured in some of the TV episodes.

Speaking on the launch of McKinlay Kidd's new Bloody Shetland with Ann Cleeves holiday, Ann said: “There's a magic in sharing favourite places with other people. Shetland is bleak and beautiful and I can't wait to see how readers respond to Jimmy Perez's home.”

Robert Kidd, Director at McKinlay Kidd added: “We are delighted to be working with Bloody Scotland to provide this unique off-beat holiday experience for fans of the fantastic Jimmy Perez novels to truly discover Bloody Shetland with Ann Cleeves. We often welcome visitors who want to learn more about the islands' hidden gems that have inspired Ann to create such gritty iconic stories, and what better way to do that than with this outstanding author herself.”

Dom Hastings, Manager of the Bloody Scotland festival, which takes place from 11 to 13 September 2015 said: “We're delighted to be working with McKinlay Kidd to add an extra dimension to the festival this year. Ann's stories have brought Shetland so vividly to life for readers all over the world, it seems fitting that festival-goers will have the chance to experience the islands up close, with Ann herself. Bloody Shetland with Ann Cleeves is part of our biggest, most ambitious programme to date, and we can't wait to reveal it all on 3 June.”

Bloody Shetland with Ann Cleeves will conclude with an opportunity for guests to learn more about the islands' great historical sites and mysteries, myths and legends - from impressive prehistoric remains to dramatic natural seacliffs.

Prices for the holiday experience start from £849 per person and include return flights to Shetland, airport transfers and touring on Shetland by coach, three night's bed and breakfast, evening meals, entertainment and the services of a local tour guide throughout. Guests will also receive signed copies of Ann's new Vera novel, Moth Catcher and the latest Shetland novel, Thin Air, as well as tickets to a special Ann Cleeves' event at Bloody Scotland (one of the main attractions in this year's yet-to-be-announced programme, launched on 3 June).

Places on this holiday experience are limited, to book or for more information about McKinlay Kidd's full range of tailor-made holiday experiences visit seescotlanddifferently.co.uk or call 0844 873 6110.

The full Bloody Scotland programme will be launched on Wednesday 3 June. For more information, please see bloodyscotland.com.

ENDS

NOTES
About McKinlay Kidd

• McKinlay Kidd specialises in arranging independent holidays throughout Scotland and Ireland.
• In 2014, for the fourth year running, McKinlay Kidd was awarded the accolade of "Best Small Tour Operator" in the Guardian & Observer Travel Awards, as voted by customers.
• The company was established in 2003 by Robert Kidd & Heather McKinlay, who each have over 20 years experience working for some of the biggest names in the UK travel industry.
• Every single recommendation is based on personal experience, and their golden rule is simple: "we wouldn't send you anywhere that we haven't been ourselves."
• Members of Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO)
• For more information see www.mckinlaykidd.co.uk

About Bloody Scotland

• Bloody Scotland is Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival and takes place in a number of venues in central Stirling each September.
• Established in 2012, the festival aims to showcase the very best Scottish and international crime writing, nurture the next generation of writers through  masterclasses and  provide  opportunities  to  highlight Scottish  crime  writing  on  an  international  stage.
• The 2015 Festival runs from 11 to 13 September 2015 and the full programme will be announced on Wednesday 3 June 2015.
• Authors attending in previous years have included Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbø, Lee Child, Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Kathy Reichs and Christopher Brookmyre.
• High res images from the festival weekend are available on request from Kirstin Innes.
• For more information see www.bloodyscotland.com

About the author

• Ann Cleeves is the author behind ITV's VERA and BBC One's SHETLAND.
• She has written over twenty-five novels, and is the creator of detectives Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez – characters loved both on screen and in print.
• Her books have now sold over 1 million copies worldwide.
• Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing.
• She is a member of 'Murder Squad', working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction.
• In 2006 Ann was awarded the Duncan Lawrie Dagger (CWA Gold Dagger) for Best Crime Novel, for Raven Black, the first book in her Shetland series.
• In 2012 she was inducted into the CWA Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame.
• Ann lives in North Tyneside.
• She won Celebrity Mastermind in 2014.