The Cumnock Tryst’s community opera project, A Musical Celebration of the Coalfields, continues with the second in its series of free online workshops hosted by James MacMillan.

On October 7 at 7.30pm, much-loved Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith will be on hand to share his literary expertise with 50 lucky individuals.

With a writing career spanning most of his adult life, Alexander McCall Smith is one of Scotland’s most well-known and prolific authors, making him perfectly placed to help aspiring writers get to grips with a whole host of techniques that they can employ across the board.

Alexander McCall Smith said: “Not every writer writes in the same way. For some it is all about meticulous planning, the drawing up of detailed chapter outlines and character profiles, whereas for others the story seems to flow more organically onto the page.

“Regardless of which kind of writer you are, or aspire to be, I hope that these workshops will help you unleash your inner creative and I am thrilled to have been asked to help participants do so.

“Congratulations to The Cumnock Tryst and James MacMillan for finding such an innovative and collaborative solution in these uncertain times.”

A Musical Celebration of the Coalfields aims to create a musical celebration of the heritage, culture and environment of Cumnock and Doon Valley.

Following the workshops, individual participants from the local community will be asked to send in their writing, video, sound or photography by December 11 to be presented at the Tryst’s Summer Festival, planned for June 2021.

Also featuring in the series are Chris Packham, Michael Symmons Roberts and Pete Stollery.

For more, visit www.thecumnocktryst.com