Festival Info
Welcome to one of the UK’s friendliest festivals
Borders Book Festival hosts more than 100 events in June each year. With the latest fiction, current affairs, history, and politics, along with personalities from sport, music and entertainment, there is something for every age and interest. We also host a range of health and wellbeing sessions to take part in during the festival.
Our family-friendly site is free for all to explore, where you can enjoy local artisan food and drink, browse the bookshop and marketplace, and be entertained by local artists and musicians, all in the beautiful surroundings of the Scottish Borders.
HARMONY GARDEN
Harmony Garden is the festival hub, where you will find our main event venues, the box office and bookshop, along with the Harmony Bar, Luckie Beans Coffee, and Over Langshaw Farmhouse Ice Cream offering drinks and refreshments throughout the festival.
THE ORCHARD
The Orchard is home to the BSW Group Marquee, Davidson Chalmers Stewart Storytelling Tent, and the Abbotsford Tent. You will also find a wide range of artisan food providers in the food village along with our main bar, where you can relax and socialise, and enjoy free entertainment throughout the festival.
THE HEARTLAND MARKET
We host The Heartland Market over the festival weekend. The market was established by three passionate women to celebrate the artisan makers and shakers of Galashiels and the surrounding area. Their aim is to bring the heart back into the local community and offer shoppers a unique experience of buying directly from local creative producers. With something for everyone, you will certainly find a distinct offering!
BSL EVENTS
Events marked with the BSL icon will be supported by a British Sign Language interpreter.
BRING THE KIDS
Our programme for families offers a wide range of free activities and a wonderful selection of events with some of today’s best-loved authors for children.
There is no charge for adults accompanying children to The Baillie Gifford Children’s Programme. All events are ticketed (unless otherwise stated), so please do remember to put your free adult ticket in the basket at the time of booking.
DOGS
Well-behaved dogs are permitted in The Orchard and Harmony Garden, with the exception of the marked fruit and vegetable gardens. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Please clean up any fouling, which can be disposed of in the general waste bins located next to the toilets.
Assistance dogs only will be admitted to event venues.
TV, RADIO & PHOTOGRAPHY
You might just come across a TV camera or a large microphone if you’re attending the festival, so make sure you’re camera ready; you might end up on the news!
The book festival employs a roving photographer and cameraman who will be taking photos and videos of events and visitors for promotional use.
Donations
Help keep Borders Book Festival alive!
As a charity, Borders Book Festival relies on the generous help of our supporters. This is even more important when public funding for the arts is increasingly under threat.
Please help us to continue to deliver the festival in future years by making a donation, however big or small.
