Nicola Sturgeon will join writers Alexander McCall Smith and Ian Rankin for a special event to celebrate the life of Dame Muriel Spark.

The First Minister,  who is a fan of the renowned author, will take part in the specially commissioned presentation of readings, performance and conversation to mark the centenary of Ms Spark's birth.

Mr McCall Smith will read a poem he has written for the occasion and, for the first time since 1963, Ms Spark's play Doctors of Philosophy will be presented on stage through performed extracts.

Ms Spark made her final visit to Edinburgh in 2004 to appear at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Muriel Spark: Creme de la Creme will take place at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh on January 31.