How John Swinney is following Nicola Sturgeon on to the Scottish book festival circuit

Books were always the domain of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was well-known for her annual list of her favourite reads of the year.

But now John Swinney is set to compete for the best-read Holyrood leader when he is quizzed at a Scottish book festival in June about his literary influences.

First Minister John Swinney is among authors set to speak at the Borders Book Festival in June. | Borders Book Festival

Mr Swinney will be questioned by Borders Book Festival chairman Michael Moore, former Secretary of State for Scotland and acting leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, about the “books that shaped his thinking”. Mr Moore stood down as an MP in 2015.

Two other former Conservative Westminster Cabinet ministers, former Chancellor of the Exchequer and foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt as well as Michael Gove, who held a range of Cabinet posts, under prime ministers from David Cameron to Boris Johnson, will also speak at the festival. They are listed under the billing they will “tell us what they really think”.

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Other headline events at the festival, which runs in the Borders town of Melrose from June 12-15, include appearances by Gavin and Stacey stars Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb who have both recently published new books.

Meanwhile, Michael Palin will speak about his latest volume of diaries, and presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner Stacey Dooley will discuss her book on motherhood. Hairy Biker, Si King, who lost his sidekick, Dave Myers, to cancer last year ago, will also speak at the festival.

Journalists Kirsty Wark and Sally Magnusson will recall the good – and bad – bits of 20 years on Newsnight and 27 years on Reporting Scotland respectively.

First Minister John Swinney is to speak at the Borders Book Festival. | Borders Book Festival

To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, former Scotsman journalist Andrew Marr and historian James Holland will celebrate the Great Generation who sacrificed so much for victory. Tim Bouverie will discuss his superb book on the politics of the allies who defeated Hitler, and, in To See Ourselves, Alistair Moffat charts how the boomer generation radically changed post-war Britain.

The announcement of the prestigious Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction will also be made on the opening evening of the festival. Six shortlisted international literary talents are in contention for the £25,000 prize, previously won by the likes of Dame Hilary Mantel, Sebastian Barry and Robert Harris.

Festival director Mr Moffat said: “As spring finally wakes us all from the long, dark winter, it gives us such joy to be able to bring to Melrose’s idyllic Harmony Garden such a treat for the June diaries.

“This year we will look back at world events 80 years ago, with the end of World War Two, and will also hear direct from some of Britain’s brightest minds their reflections on our current world: how it’s changed; where it’s headed; and what we can do about it.”

Mr Moffat added: “But it’s not all heavy politics. As ever, our programme is as varied as it is packed, with top-notch storytelling, inspiring sport, well-known faces from the screen, and tales of travel and adventure to suit all tastes.

“This sparkling programme would not have been possible without the generosity of those who helped fund the book gestival – both public and private – and we are beyond grateful for their support and enthusiasm, this year more than ever.”