Borders Book Festival Breaks Records in Founder’s Grand Finale Year!

The Borders Book Festival in Melrose just had its most successful year ever, drawing record crowds and selling more tickets and books than in any previous year. The festival took place from June 11 to June 14 in the beautiful Harmony Garden, and the warm weather helped attract even more visitors. Organizers reported that ticket sales were up by 8. 1 percent compared to last year, and the total number of people attending reached nearly 34,000, which is more than a 5 percent increase. Book sales also hit a new high, rising by 17 percent over last year’s numbers.

This year’s festival featured a wide range of guests, including well-known broadcasters Gavin Esler and Steph McGovern. Gavin, with his grey hair and green shirt, and Steph, wearing a white blouse with a rose pattern, were just two of the many personalities who took part. The program included historians, biographers, crime writers, and figures from the food and drink industry. There were also returning attractions like the popular food village, where visitors could sample different foods and drinks. Poet Pam Ayres, dressed in a black shirt with pink flowers, discussed her poetry with the audience.

Festival founder Alistair Moffat described the event as a triumph and said that feedback from visitors suggested it was the best festival yet. After more than two decades of leading the festival, Moffat is stepping down, and co-director Paula Ogilvie will take over for next year. The festival’s continued growth shows how much people enjoy coming together to celebrate books and authors. Next year’s Borders Book Festival is already scheduled for June 10 to June 13, 2027, and organizers are looking forward to welcoming even more visitors. Actor Sam Heughan also attended, talking about his life, his love of craft spirits, and his passion for Scotland. The festival brought together people of all ages to enjoy stories, talks, and good company in a beautiful setting.