Outlander's Sam Heughan fans issued stark warning over Edinburgh International Book Festival tickets
The Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) has issued a warning to ticket holders after a "huge" demand for tickets to Sam Heughan at this year's event. The festival organisers admitted they were not 'totally surprised' that tickets for the sold-out event, on August 23, had proved to be popular due to the Outlander star's presence.
However, the demand has meant that many people unfortunately missed out on tickets and warned that only those bought through the official website would be valid. Festival bosses also cautioned that tickets would not be transferable.
The EIBF event, Sam Heughan: On the Rocks, will see the actor, best known for playing Jamie Fraser in the Starz show, present his own cocktail masterclass, ahead of the publication of his new book, The Cocktail Diaries: A Spirited Adventure, in September. Tickets cost £14 each and sold out within hours of tickets becoming available on Saturday June 21, the Scotsman reports.
A EIBF statement posted on social media said: 'There's been huge demand for our Sam Heughan: On the Rocks event this morning, and we're sorry that not everyone has been able to get the tickets they were hoping for.
'Please be aware that any tickets purchased for this event are non-transferable, and that tickets not purchased directly from the Edinburgh International Book Festival will not be valid for entry to the event. We would hate for anyone to be disappointed on arrival.'
The post added: 'We can't say we're totally surprised that Sam Heughan's event has sold out already, but for anyone who didn't get a ticket, do make sure to sign up to our mailing list in case any returns get released.
'There are still hundreds of incredible events with tickets available, including many with a focus on the fascinating topic of Scottish history.'
Some diehard Outlander fans from across the pond had even been trying to get their hands on tickets as the Starz show is very popular in America.
One fan, Jessica Torrey, commented on the EIBF's social media post: 'So disappointed! Up at my computer at 4 a.m. Minnesota, USA.
"Thought I might actually make this happen, with only about 900 people ahead of me when queue opened and it moving rapidly.
'Had no idea only about 300 tickets available. Dream trip to Scotland coming up and this would have been amazing. Going to continue manifesting this. Not giving up all hope just yet.'
The Scots actor, who will soon make his Royal Shakespeare Company debut in Macbeth, will discuss the significance of cocktails as well as his journey to stardom during the event.
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Heughan, who is originally from Dumfries and Galloway, moved to Edinburgh with his family at the age of 12 before studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
Other high profile appearances at this year's festival include former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, authors Irvine Welsh and Maggie O'Farrell and Heartstopper writer Alice Oseman.
Actors Brian Cox, Viggo Mortensen and Vanessa Redgrave will also take part in events.
This year's festival's programme is based around the theme of Repair, seeking to explore things which feel broken, and looking at how they could be fixed – from the physical to the political, the emotional to the environmental, and beyond.
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