THE escapades of young David Balfour and the Jacobite adventurer Alan Breck Stewart have captured the imaginations of generations of Scots readers.
Now, even more people are to be given the chance to follow the dramatic tale of treachery, romance and rebellion, after it was announced that 25,000 copies will be given away in Edinburgh as part of a massive reading drive.
"One Book - One Edinbu
rgh" is launched on 31 January, the biggest project yet by the UNESCO City of Literature body.
Free copies will go to every primary and secondary school in the city and every library until stocks run out. They will include 10,000 copies of the original, in a new paperback from Canongate, 7,500 in a "retold" edition for younger readers, and 7,500 copies of a newly created version of the story told as a graphic novel.
Cities from Seattle to Bristol and recently Glasgow have embraced the "one city, one book" idea, which began in the United States. But Edinburgh claims to be the only one that is putting five different editions on offer.
The goal is to get as many people in the city as possible reading one book, in this case, Kidnapped. "We are promoting reading, promoting a very fine Edinburgh author and a very good book," said Ali Bowden, the manager of the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust.
Gavin Wallace, head of literature at the Scottish Arts Council, welcomed the project. "We are absolutely delighted to be funding this exciting campaign through the National Lottery. It is the first of its kind in Scotland and is a totally collaborative project with one single aim - to get Edinburgh reading."
From 1 February, members of the public can drop into their local library to claim a free copy while stocks last.
Those who miss the chance to get a free copy from their local library will be able to buy the volume at bookshops throughout the city. The Canongate edition will cost £5.99, the graphic novel will be priced at £8.99 while the simplified retold edition will be no more than £4.99.
The director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Catherine Lockerbie, welcomed the additions of the alternative, graphic and children's versions of the book to the project:
"Stevenson would approve whole-heartedly. He was the least po-faced of writers," she said.
The public programme of more than 30 events includes exhibitions, a literary walking tour following in Stevenson's footsteps and a series of readings in conjunction with the National Library of Scotland, the first of which will take place on 1 February when the writer Ian Rankin joins others to discuss the gothic, the criminal and Stevenson.
For a younger audience, Donald Smith, the director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, has scripted an irreverent and cheeky take on the Kidnapped story - When Kilts Were Banned.
The 1971 classic film of the story, starring Michael Caine and Donald Pleasence, will be shown at the Filmhouse on 24 February.
The full programme of events can be found on the City of Literature website (
www.cityofliterature.com , or on the leaflet which is being distributed throughout the city.
