Familiar faces from world of TV, sport and politics converge on Melrose for return of Borders Book Festival
Founder Alistair Moffat reflects on how it all began as he prepares to take his bow...
Last updated 11th Jun 2026
A host of familiar faces from the world of TV, sport and politics are converging on the Scottish Borders as the annual Book Festival gets underway in Melrose.
Thousands of visitors are expected at Harmony Garden over the next four days, with several of the biggest names on this year's line-up already sold out - including Scotland's longest-serving First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Outlander star Sam Heughan and Bake Off's Prue Leith.
But, before the gates to the National Trust attraction swing open at 2pm this afternoon (Thursday), the Festival's founder, Alistair Moffat, is recalling how it all began as he prepares to take his final bow as director after more than two decades at the helm.
"The first festival, in 2004, was extraordinary," the former Director of Edinburgh Festival Fringe told Greatest Hits Radio. "It was just in the wee Wynd Theatre in Melrose, which only seated 90. It was free for a weekend, and the director said, 'Why don't you use it for something you want to do?' So I invited Melvyn Bragg and Norman Davies and wonderful Allan Massie and William Dalrymple to do four sessions, and it sold out.
"Now, 90 seats, it's not Hampden Park, but what there definitely was, was a buzz in the air. People liked this. And I thought, 'Well, we'll do another one.'
"We went to the Melrose Festival and said, 'Look, you put this big marquee up at Annay Road, but you only use it once. Why don't you keep it up a wee bit longer, and we'll use it, and we'll split the cost?'
"So I just wrote to every famous person I knew who had a book out and said, 'Come to Melrose. We'll wine and dine you like a prince or princess, and we'll pay you the miserable fee of £150. How can you resist?'
"And Michael Palin, Germaine Greer, Sheila Hancock, Ian Rankin, they couldn't resist. And Rory Bremner, of course, came; my old pal Rory. And it was just such a laugh and a lark."
He added: "That was when it took off. That is when it became a big thing. And all these folks have come back at one time or another because they enjoyed it so much, because Borders hospitality was so great."
The opening night programme focuses on some of the biggest issues facing the country, with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown offering his thoughts on global affairs and Britain's future.
Former Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is also appearing, reflecting on life in politics and the books that have shaped her career, while businessman Sir Tom Hunter and Centrica chief executive Chris O'Shea discuss how enterprise and philanthropy can help tackle today's challenges.
Away from Westminster and Holyrood, there are plenty of star names from the worlds of television and entertainment.
Lorraine Kelly, Alan Titchmarsh, Larry Lamb, Prue Leith and Steph McGovern are all due on stage in Melrose, alongside former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, ex-Chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt and former Cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt.
Olympic gold medal-winning curler Eve Muirhead will share the story of her sporting journey, while crime-writing favourites including Denise Mina and Chris Brookmyre are among the literary highlights.
Families are also being catered for, with children's authors, workshops and activities throughout the weekend, including a new Family Friday programme designed with neurodivergent families in mind.
The festival draws to a close on Sunday with Alistair Moffat joined by impressionist Rory Bremner, reflecting on four decades of friendship — and bringing the curtain down on Moffat's final festival as director.
A free shuttle bus will operate between Tweedbank rail terminus and the book festival on Saturday and Sunday for the first time.
Tickets are available at [www.bordersbookfestival.org](http://www.bordersbookfestival.org |newtab) or by calling 0131 290 2112 and from the Book Festival Box Office on the day subject to availability.
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