The Borders Book Festival’s eclectic programme is announced today (Wednesday 22nd April) and tickets go on sale, as the Scottish Borders town of Melrose once again sets the stage for one of the UK’s most beloved book festivals.
During four days of bookish adventures based at Melrose’s Harmony Garden (Thursday 11th – Sunday 14thJune), political debate will be had and new fiction treats discovered, comedians will bring side-splitting laughs and sports stars will wow audiences with tales of willpower, skill and endurance, and well-known names from the worlds of politics and current affairs will attempt to decipher the events of the last year in international news.
Amid the febrile global situation, Harmony Garden plays host this year to the sort of reliable analysis that we all crave. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a man who has met and talked with Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and other world leaders and who was at the centre of a solution to navigating the financial crash of 2008/9, is better qualified than most to give his take on the current state of the world; Sir Jeremy Hunt, who pulled Britain back from the fiscal abyss at the end of the disastrous premiership of Liz Truss in 2022, asks whether Britain can be rich again; and Sir Tom Hunter, businessman and philanthropist, and Chris O’ Shea, Chief Executive of the energy giant, Centrica, owner of Scottish Gas, talk to Stephen Jardine about how business and philanthropy can bring about positive change in the social and economic worlds and how we all can contribute, in some small way, by being ‘better citizens’.
Leading the charge of powerful women proffering their expertise in this political landscape of extremes, all having recently left a life of politics, are: Kate Forbes, who will reflect on Scottish politics in her new role as observer rather than participant; Penny Mordaunt on the traditions and values that underpin British life, and which can help to navigate the future; and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in her first public appearance since the Scottish elections, this time with veteran journalist Gavin Esler, speaking with candour and insight on the realities of leadership, the pressures of public life and the personal experiences behind the headlines.
Other well-known faces from the small screen this year include: darling of daytime television Lorraine Kellyreflecting on her remarkable career and her move into fiction writing; ever-stylish Prue Leith giving her take on ageing, in her characteristically wise, funny and refreshingly outspoken style, and renowned stylist and television presenter Nicky Hambleton-Jones letting us in on her expert secrets on how to look and feel fabulous at any age; the BBC’s Sophie Raworth on her inspiring new book Running on Air, and Steph McGovern, well-known television journalist, presenter, and co-host of The Rest is Money podcast, with her debut novel, Deadline.
Legends from the worlds of culture and sport include: beloved poet Pam Ayres, with an event that promises to be hilarious and profound in equal measure; British Women’s Curling gold medallist Eve Muirhead on her journey to becoming a national icon and one of Scotland’s greatest athletes; and legendary Scottish singer-songwriter Horse McDonald, also performing on BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends coming direct from Harmony Garden in a Borders Book Festival first.
Storytelling is as vital as ever in today’s world – arguably more vital– and this year will see storytellers of the highest order flocking to Melrose including: Andrew O’Hagan On Friendship, exploring this unique human experience through music and poetry, memory and history; Stuart Maconie on The Beatles, in a fascinating tale revolving around the people who made the group who made Britain and seasoned with Maconie’s own experiences, encounters and conversations; Alan Titchmarsh, author of 43 gardening books, 4 memoirs, 12 novels and a collection of poetry, on a life lived with kindness, grace and wit; Anne Sebba with The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, who draws on meticulous research and haunting first-hand accounts to bring to life the voices, choices and courage of the only all-female orchestra in Auschwitz; and returning Festival favourite Chris Brookmyre with his Quite Ugly One Evening, celebrating 30 years of his iconic debut Quite Ugly One Morning.
Phenomenal historical stories will also be brought to life as the prestigious Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is awarded during the opening evening of the Festival, with five shortlisted international literary talents hoping to secure the £25,000 prize. The shortlisted authors are: Jo Harkin for The Pretender; Alice Jolly for The Matchbox Girl; Graeme Macrae Burnet for Benbecula; Rachel Seiffert for Once the Deed is Done; and Benjamin Wood for Seascraper.
Festival Directors, Alistair Moffat and Paula Ogilvie, said:
“It’s that time of the year again, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you all back to our beloved Harmony Garden, spiritual home of the Book Festival that is so close to all our hearts.
“Never more than now have we needed a reason to gather, to celebrate our shared friendships, to debate, to ponder, and to try to see a way through the chaos of our world.
“The Borders Book Festival will this year offer, as it always does, a space to escape our daily lives (and rolling news!) for a short time and to reconnect with all those things that bring joy and humour, a sense of calm, fun and joie de vivre.
“But it also – vitally – offers myriad opportunities to hear some of the best minds on the planet ponder the crises of our modern world and discuss the ways in which we, as individuals – any of us and all of us – can make a difference and use our own personal agency for good.
“So come and join us at Harmony this June. We’re beyond delighted to welcome you!”
The Family Book Festival, supported by JJ’s Foundation, takes place throughout the day on the Saturday and Sunday (13th & 14th June), packed with thrilling author events for our youngest festival goers, including: Beano’s creators, Mike Stirling and Craig Graham helping Dennis the Menace celebrate 75 years of mischief and mayhem with a very special event for ages 6+; legendary children’s author and illustrator Nick Sharratt with his brand new picture book Mullets and taking a look at the fab hairstyles of characters in other favourite picture books; the youngest-ever author to appear at the Festival, ten-year-old Grace Moffat, who co-wrote with her grandad Alistair Moffat their debut story collection, Molly Mason: The Pet Detective, and who illustrated it; Louise Gooding with her Wonderfully Wired Brains, offering an opportunity for children aged 7+ to celebrate how unique we are, but also to explore the things we may also have in common; plus much-loved Festival favourites including Vivian French, Alan Windram and Supertato co-creator Sue Hendra.
The Book Festival is proud to include a brand new addition to the Family Book Festival for 2026: Family Friday offers to children who might find it harder to access other events included in the programme, and their families, the opportunity to enjoy the relaxing and calm Harmony Orchard on Friday afternoon, with a strand of specially curated events on offer, and with space galore to use as they wish, without the stressors of crowds, noise, hustle and bustle.
The four days of festivities will also be accompanied by live music in the Orchard Food Village, covered by a vast transparent canopy for the second year running, should the sun happen to take a break! Two onsite bookshops – one in Harmony Garden and the other in the Orchard — are available to browse, and free, fun activities for all the family are on offer throughout the weekend.
Rebecca Edser, Head of EventScotland, said:
“Scotland is a vibrant year‑round destination, with every month, season and region offering something unique for people to enjoy.
“We’re pleased to be supporting Borders Book Festival through our National Events Programme, as part of Scotland’s diverse portfolio of events and festivals. The Festival is a staple in the events calendar and hugely popular with visitors to the South of Scotland.
“By enabling organisers to deliver well‑designed and impactful events, we are helping ensure events continue to make a positive contribution to both the local community and the wider visitor economy.”
Tickets now available at www.bordersbookfestival.org or by calling 0131 290 2112.
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