Borders Book Festival reveals star-studded line-up as it prepares to celebrate 20th edition
'We could not be more excited about our programme this year...'
Last updated 25th Apr 2023
The full line-up's been announced for this summer's Borders Book Festival.
Former Celtic and Ireland football manager Martin O'Neill, Strictly Come Dancing star Arlene Phillips, and tennis coach turned novelist Judy Murray, will join the likes of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and comedian Rory Bremner at the event in Melrose.
The four-day feast of literature, entertainment, politics, sport, health and lifestyle gets underway on Thursday, June the 15th.
Festival Director, Alistair Moffat, said: “We could not be more excited about our programme this year, which brings some of the best-known and most respected thinkers, writers, leaders, commentators and personalities from around the UK – and beyond – to our beautiful Harmony Garden at the height of the Scottish summer.
“This year’s book festival feels even more special because we have the absolute pleasure of celebrating our 20th edition, a milestone that I could not, in my wildest dreams, have imagined reaching when I started the festival back in 2004.
“The endurance of the Borders Book Festival is testament to the phenomenal array of devoted writing talent on offer in Scotland and beyond; to the dedicated book festival team who work tirelessly year-round to ensure the festival’s success; to the many sponsors and funders who make the festival possible; and, not least, to the hordes of loyal, audiences who continue to push us to bring even bigger and better events to them every year."
This year's event will also mark the Tercentenary of the birth of Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Smith, while Kate Bingham, who has written a compelling account of her role as Chair of the UK’s Covid-19 vaccine taskforce will give an insight into the race to get Britain vaccinated and out of lockdown.
Borders mum and internet meal planning sensation Suzanne Mulholland, also known as The Batch Lady, is joined in the programme by the stars of hit TV show The Great British Bake Off - Peter Sawkins, Giuseppe Dell’Anno and Rahul Mandal.
Former Scotland football star turned pundit Pat Nevin, who also lives locally, returns alongside sports commentators Archie Macpherson and Andrew Cotter; while actor and impressionist Jon Culshaw; comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti are sure to sell-out fast.
The Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham and leading political analyst Prof. John Curtice; civil rights campaigner and distinguished lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy KC; peeress and socialite Lady Anne Glenconner; Britain’s greatest archaeologist Sir Barry Cunliffe; and long-time festival favourites Sally Magnusson and Jim Naughtie are also included in the star-studded line-up, along with prize-winning novelists Douglas Stuart, Robert Harris and Sebastian Barry; and crime-writing royalty Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre, Mark Billingham and Doug Johnstone; and many more.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the 20th edition of Borders Book Festival, as part of EventScotland’s National Events Programme.
"To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the festival brings together an exceptional line-up of renowned writers and thinkers to share their stories with locals and visitors alike, all against the picture-perfect backdrop of Melrose’s Harmony Gardens.
"Scotland is the perfect stage for events and cultural gems like the Borders Book Festival showcase the vibrancy and quality of our country’s enviable events portfolio.”
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The winner of this year’s prestigious £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is to be announced at a special event at the book festival, chosen from a shortlist of seven books: These Days by Lucy Caldwell; The Geometer Lobachevsky by Adrian Duncan; Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris; The Chosen by Elizabeth Lowry; The Sun Walks Down by Fiona McFarlane; Ancestry by Simon Mawer; I Am Not Your Eve by Devika Ponnambalam.
Throughout the four days, there will also be live music, the Orchard tented food village, and a plethora of free, fun activities, making the Borders Book Festival a great day out for all the family to enjoy.
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Creative Scotland’s Literature Officer Viccy Adams said: “Two decades of celebrating Scottish writers and bringing literary delights to Scottish readers in the Borders is a wonderful achievement.
"This year’s programme is another classic, set to bring together audiences, entertain the whole family, encourage conversation, and do what the Borders Book Festival does so well – a fantastic, fun-packed day out in beautiful surroundings, with brilliant writers.”
For more, and to book tickets, log on to www.bordersbookfestival.org or call: 0131 290 2112.
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