The Borders Book Festival gets off to a spectacular start on Thursday this week, with its opening night setting the scene for a four-day extravaganza of intense debate, literary insights, side-splitting comedy and family fun for everybody.
This year’s Thursday evening opening line-up holds a mirror against the world we live in today – politically febrile, financially uncertain and socially divided in so many ways – and asks what we can do about it, and where we can go from here.
Joining the crowds at Harmony Garden to signal the start of the Book Festival this year is former PM Gordon Brown, the man who led the UK through the financial crash of 2008, and who has met Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and been at the centre of global politics for decades, and who now comes to Melrose to offer his analysis of current affairs and a sense of what the future might hold.
Bringing their philanthropic business brains to Harmony on Thursday evening are Sir Tom Hunter and Centrica Chief Executive Chris O’Shea, who join well-known broadcaster Stephen Jardine on stage to discuss how business and philanthropy can bring about positive change in such troubled times as today.
Somebody who knows a thing or two about politics – although very recently freed from the shackles of office, having stepped down to enjoy family life while her children are young – is Kate Forbes. Having been elected as an MSP at only 26, Kate’s meteoric rise saw her become Deputy First Minister in 2024. Here she talks to Michael Moore about her life, the books that have shaped that life and philosophy – and may even offer some opinions as former-participant-newly-turned-observer.
There is plenty else on offer during the opening day for those who wish to escape current affairs for an hour or two. BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends will be broadcast from Borders Book Festival for the first time, with the incomparable Stuart Maconie, who will also be on stage, this time with his acclaimed book on The Beatles, With A Little Help From Their Friends.
The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is again announced live at the Book Festival this year, with five world-class novelists in contention for the £25,000 prize, presented by Matthew Maxwell Scott, descendant of Sir Walter Scott himself and Trustee of Abbotsford, along with the Duke of Buccleuch, founder of the Prize.
Two of the Walter Scott Prize shortlisted novels are set during World War Two, and later Anne Sebba, author of The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, tells the extraordinary story of the nearly fifty women from across Europe who were forced to play music in the shadow of unimaginable horror, and how, for many, it became their only chance of survival.
Amongst the packed programme for the remainder of the three days of the Book Festival, some very special gems include from the small screen: star of the BBC’s Gavin & Stacey and Eastenders, Larry Lamb, here sharing his very personal poetry; Martin Frizell, husband of Fiona Phillips, who talks about their deeply personal memoir, Remember When, documenting their lives since Fiona’s diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s at age just 61; darling of daytime television Lorraine Kelly with her latest novel; national treasure Alan Titchmarsh as he reflects on a life of books, gardening and pretty much everything else in between; television favourites Prue Leith and Nicky Hambleton-Joneson the subject of ageing, tackling it head-on, both with their trademark wit, irreverence and devil-may care style; and economics-guru-turned-thriller-writer Steph McGovern, co-host of The Rest is Money, is here with her gripping debut novel, Deadline.
From the world of former politicians, Sir Jeremy Hunt explores the potential of Britain’s economy in Can We Be Rich Again? and Penny Mordaunt talks to veteran broadcaster Gavin Esler about why Britain’s traditions matter, and how they can be useful in helping to navigate the future; whilst Helene von Bismarck in Fantastic Kingdom: A Stranger’s Notes on a Contrary Country explores how the British see themselves compared with how they are seen by others; plus former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon explores with candour and insight the realities of leadership and the pressures of public life, in her bestselling memoir, Frankly.
Also discussing the highs and lows of leadership is 2022 Winter Olympic Games gold medal winner, curler Eve Muirhead, as she shares the story of her own inspirational sporting journey.
Those in the public gaze come under much scrutiny in Andrew Lownie’s explosive Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York; whilst Justine Picardie explores the role of iconography in the safeguarding of the monarchy down the decades.
And for fans of spectacularly good crime, Chris Brookmyre, Doug Johnstone, Denise Mina and Heidi Amsinck are on this year’s line-up and not to be missed. Neither is live music from the legendary and iconic singer-songwriter Horse, who will perform stripped-back versions from her vast back catalogue and rare B sides that don’t always make it into the band’s shows – plus some new songs. Again, definitely not to be missed!
The Family Festival, supported by JJ’s Foundation, also has children’s favourites galore over Saturday and Sunday, with activities for the whole family to enjoy together. And this year sees the very special launch of Family Friday, a dedicated afternoon of gentle, calm, curated events, designed with neurodivergent families in mind, with the expanse of The Orchard to enjoy to themselves in whatever way they choose that afternoon.
The four days draw to a close with Alistair Moffat, outgoing Director, joined on stage by Rory Bremner to reminisce about forty years of friendship, including, as you might expect, an awful lot of laughs!
Festival Director, Alistair Moffat, said: “The 2026 Borders Book Festival is going to be a very special one for me because it is my last. On 14th June I’ll be hanging up my lapel microphone and no doubt pouring a little something cold and sparkling to celebrate many truly memorable years jointly at the helm of this wonderful Book Festival.
But for fellow Festival Director Paula Ogilvie, for the Borders Book Festival team, and, most importantly, for all of you who lend us your ears for four glorious days each summer, this year’s Festival is only as special as any other year’s – and that is to say, very special indeed.
I know that more great things are in store for Borders Book Festival in the future, and I’m thrilled to be getting the opportunity to watch from the sidelines as the game goes on. There will be many, many goals to come, I just know it!”
The Family Festival takes place throughout the day on the Saturday and Sunday (13th & 14th June) and includes, among so many others: the inimitable Nick Sharratt with a Hair-larious Hairstyles draw along; celebrating 75 years of Dennis the Menace, Beano’s Directors of Mischief and Mayhem, Mike Stirling and Craig Graham; the youngest-ever Borders Book Festival author, Grace Moffat, on stage with her grandad Alistair, bringing you Molly Mason the Pet Detective. Plus, for older children, New York Times bestselling author Pete Burns; Gill Arbuthnott with All in the Mind; and Bruna de Luca with a teen writing workshop to get imaginations buzzing.
The Orchard tented food village, adjacent to Harmony Garden, hosts live music and free, fun activities for the whole family, making the Borders Book Festival a fantastic day out for everybody of every age.
The Borders Book Festival is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impact by implementing a number of net zero goals including: zero waste to landfill; e-ticketing and a donation to planting trees for every ticket purchased.
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said:“Borders Book Festival excels in immersing the town of Melrose in a rich literary world. Once more it offers an inspiring programme, bringing the best authors from Scotland and beyond to its part of the world. The Family Festival is a strand of particular importance, inviting children and young people to discover a life-long love of reading, community and creativity. We congratulate Festival Director Alistair Moffat on his dedication of over 20 years to Scotland’s reading community, and the exceptional growth of the festival in that time.”
Rebecca Edser, Head of Events at VisitScotland, said: “We’re looking forward to another exciting line-up at the Borders Book Festival. As part of Scotland’s diverse portfolio of cultural and sporting events, the Festival plays an important role in growing the local visitor economy, and we’re proud to be supporting it once again. For more than 20 years it has brought visitors from near and far to explore the Scottish Borders. Much of its success has been driven by the ambition and dedication of Festival Director Alistair Moffat, and we wish him well as he steps down this year.”
Tickets available at www.bordersbookfestival.org or by calling 0131 290 2112 and from the Book Festival Box Office on the day subject to availability.
