Borders Book Festival began in June 2004, when Alistair Moffat had the idea of creating a small literary gathering in Melrose. Joined from the outset by fellow director Paula Ogilvie, that first weekend welcomed just a handful of speakers and an audience of around 400.

Today, it has grown into one of the UK’s leading book festivals, attracting around 34,000 visitors each year for four memorable days of ideas, entertainment and conversation.

A great deal has changed since those early events in the old Wynd Theatre in the heart of Melrose, but the spirit of the festival remains the same: bringing people together through stories, debate and shared experiences.

Over the years, the festival has evolved and expanded, finding its long-term home in the beautiful surroundings of Harmony Garden and Orchard. Here you will find six event venues, two bookshops, a stretch tent bar, plenty of family-friendly outdoor space, and a transparent canopy where visitors can relax and enjoy an exciting selection of food and drink for all ages and tastes.

The festival extends well beyond the four days in June, working throughout the year with schools and communities across the Scottish Borders to bring books, authors and ideas to new audiences. Each September, its Schools Programme goes on the road, taking authors and events directly to children and young people in towns across the region.

June 2026 marked Alistair’s final year as director, and Paula continues to lead the festival, supported by a dedicated team and an enthusiastic network of volunteers.

More than twenty years after that first gathering, Borders Book Festival continues to grow its reach, welcoming writers, thinkers and audiences from across Scotland, the UK and beyond - a place where words really do come alive!