Taking place within the gardens and orchard of The National Trust for Scotland’s Harmony House, the Borders Book Festival has something for all ages and interests. From the latest fiction, current affairs, history, and politics, along with personalities from sport, music and entertainment, to a vibrant Food and Drink Village, Festival Bookshop, Craft Marketplace and live music. Plus, enjoy a range of health and wellbeing sessions.
Packed into just 4 dynamic days across 6 festival marquees, debut and local authors, artists and performers share the spotlight with household names. Previous years have welcomed the likes of Michael Palin, David Coulthard, Joanna Lumley, Clive Myrie, Booker Prize Winner Douglas Stuart, Val McDermid and Martin O’Neill.
For young readers, the Family Book Festival programme offers a wide range of free activities and a selection of events with some of today’s best-loved children’s authors.
Well-behaved dogs on a lead are permitted in The Orchard and Harmony Garden, with the exception of the marked fruit and vegetable gardens. Assistance dogs only will be admitted to event venues.
All venues have wheelchair access. A small number of mobility scooters will be available to borrow on a first-come-first-served basis. There will be a hearing loop system in the three largest venues (Harmony Marquee, Cullen Kilshaw Marquee and JRW Hogg & Thorburn Marquee), and a selection of events will have a BSL interpreter. Gender neutral and wheelchair accessible toilets, plus baby change facilities will be available.
The Borders Railway connects Edinburgh Waverley with Tweedbank Station, which is about 1.5 miles away from the festival site. Borders Buses then connects Tweedbank to Melrose using services 67 or 68. If travelling by bus, travel direct from Edinburgh to Melrose using Borders Buses service 51. For more details on getting to the Festival see getting to Melrose.
Borders Book Festival runs from 11 to 14 June 2026, with this year’s full programme available from 22 April 2026.
