The Borders Book Festival kicks off at Harmony Garden in Melrose today with a host of big names from politics, TV, sport and literature.
And there is great news for anyone travelling by train to Borders Book Festival! There will be a FREE shuttle bus running from Tweedbank Railway Station to Harmony Garden and back.
Operated by Border Buses, the shuttle buses will co-ordinate with train arrivals/departures and Borders Book Festival events on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June.
Today’s programme is as follows:
Having met Putin, Xi Jinping and other world leaders, and been central to solving the 2008 financial crisis, Gordon Brown offers informed analysis of current turmoil and future options.
Join the celebration of the Walter Scott Prize as five shortlisted authors compete for £25,000. Meet Jo Harkin, Alice Jolly, Graeme Macrae Burnet, Rachel Seiffert and Benjamin Wood.
Eve Muirhead the Perthshire farmer’s daughter, led Britain’s women’s curling team to Olympic gold in Beijing 2022. She reveals her journey from child prodigy to world champion.
Helen Watson recounts cycling 15,000km from Glasgow to China with her husband, crossing mountains and borders while discovering unexpected human connections.
Former CEO Neil Francis shares his remarkable journey from catastrophic stroke at 41 to becoming a writer of six books. He reflects on themes of leadership, recovery, and reinvention.
In 1992 James Carville said “It’s the economy, stupid” – and he was right. Sir Tom Hunter and Centrica CEO Chris O’Shea discuss with Stephen Jardine how business can drive change.
Stuart Maconie’s brilliant take on The Beatles explores who influenced the Fab Four in this superb cultural history split into Before, With and Beyond sections.
Acclaimed historian Anne Sebba tells the extraordinary story of nearly fifty women who formed the only all-female orchestra in Auschwitz, exploring their resilience and courage.
Firebrand presents Ungetatable, inspired by Eileen O’Shaughnessy who married George Orwell. A haunting radio play of global threat, spoken by a mysterious woman seeking truth.
The Borders Writers’ Forum celebrates their ninth anthology with readings spanning tragedy to romance, dark histories to dystopian futures, and nature’s glories.
Former Deputy First Minister Kate reflects on her meteoric political career, from MSP at 26 to resigning in 2025 to prioritize family life with her four children.
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how we work, learn, shop, communicate and make decisions – but do we really understand it? In conversation with Malcolm Borthwick, award-winning technology writer Jamie Bartlett explores
Legendary Scottish singer-songwriter Horse performs stripped back versions from her vast catalogue and rare B sides, plus previews from her upcoming 13th album in this intimate show.
What happens while we sleep? Dan Richards explores the hidden world of night workers, wildlife, insomnia and creativity in a fascinating journey through the small hours.
Full details on tickets and venues are available on the Borders Book Festival website:
Online: www.bordersbookfestival.org
By phone: 0131 290 2112
The phone line is open Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 4.00pm (excluding bank holidays).
This is a call-back service. To book, please leave your name and phone number and you will be called back based on your position in the queue.
