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. Comedians will bring side-splitting laughs, and sports stars will wow audiences with tales of willpower, skill and endurance. While well-known names from the worlds of politics and current affairs will attempt to decipher the events of the last year in international news.
The Family Book Festival takes place throughout the day on the Saturday and Sunday (13 and 14 June), packed with thrilling author events for young festival goers. Plus, new for 2026, Family Friday offers the opportunity to enjoy the relaxing and calm Harmony Orchard on Friday afternoon, with specially curated events 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. 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.
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. Tickets to all events should be prebooked online.
