Lots more Easter fun and games in the beautiful grounds of Traquair House, including quite possibly the largest egg hunt anywhere in Scotland. There will be chocolate!
A unique gravel riding festival weekend, based at Traquair House in the heart of the Tweed Valley. The festival features two days of gravel riding on some of the most epic trails and roads the country has to offer. Both days start and finish at a lively festival village at Traquair House and each sees multiple Enduro-style timed stages. But it’s not just about bikes: the festival village features a host of activities and family-friendly entertainment, from live music to yoga classes, introductory bike sessions and more!
Scotland’s only authentic event of its kind, the Traquair Medieval Fayre offers an unbeatable mix of medieval entertainment, from jousting to jesters in the grounds of Scotland’s oldest inhabited house. A wonderful family event with jousting down the great grassed avenue of Traquair as well as a cannon firing display to start the event, archery, military drills and the occasional skirmish throughout the weekend!
The UK’s most beautiful, closed-road sportive is back with a bang! Taking in some of the south of Scotland’s most iconic views and dramatic landscapes – including the Devil’s Beeftub, Grey Mare’s Tail and Loch of the Lowes – riders are in for another treat when Touro returns this autumn. Choose from route distances of 88km and 120km, both starting and finishing in Peebles town centre.
What better way to get your running mojo on track in the new year than the challenge of a bumper day of trail running in the spectacular surroundings of Glentress Forest. The established 10K, half marathon and trail marathon courses will take in the usual hard packed gravel trails, twisting forest singletrack and long winding climbs – with the new (and more gentle) 4km gravel run offering the perfect intro to those just finding their feet with trail running. Check out the details below … see you on the hill!
The Wild Writers Festival returns to Peebles this winter with an expanded, five-day programme that includes elements of adventure stories and film. At its heart, however, it remains a celebration of writing that focuses on an appreciation of the natural world, with a refreshing mix of established and up-and-coming authors, including Helen Mort, Derek Gow, Kat Hill, Leif Bersweden, Jen Scotney and many more sharing their ideas, influences and inspirations. With a format that sees a mix of readings, meet-the-author sessions and signings, Q&As, panel discussions and lively solo presentations, this warm, welcoming event is a perfect antidote to any winter blues!
Embrace the spirit of Christmas with a traditional day of seasonal activities at Scotland’s oldest inhabited house. Bring along your wish list for Santa in his luxurious grotto (must be pre-booked) and receive an early Christmas present too! With entertainment for all ages, local stalls selling gifts and crafts plus tasty food and hot drinks from the Old Walled Garden Café, Traquair’s Christmas Opening is a highlight of the winter season.
The climax of a busy weekend of trail races (including a winter trail half marathon and 10k), the Tweed Valley Ultra makes use of the area’s extensive network of secluded paths and forest tracks, multi-use trails along the banks of the River Tweed, winding tracks over hills plus short link sections on minor roads. An epic in every sense!
Part of a busy weekend of trail races (including the daunting Tweed Valley Ultra), these 10k and 21k (half marathon) trails are challenging but rewarding in equal measure! Runners can expect a superb variety of terrain, with exhilarating descents and an abundance of fantastic singletrack to keep even the hardiest on their toes.
If you missed her last year, Sylvia Sceptre is back with two performances of Phantasmagorical! Phantasmagorical is a supernatural spectacle of stories and magic, swirling with dark storytelling, drama and magic. Does Sylvia Sceptre have the gift of second sight? Whatever you decide, you will have an intriguing experience to remember with this engaging, fun and alternative magic show.
Ages 16+, with themes of death and the afterlife
There’s some frighteningly good fun to be had at Traquair this Halloween …
This year’s packed event features magic shows and ghost stories in the woods, face-painting and crafty workshops. Get up close and personal with some scary snakes and other creepy crawlies – or get a glimpse of the future with a tarot card reading. There’ll be some traditional Halloween games including dooking for apples and a spooky treasure hunt in the grounds, plus prizes for the best dressed witches, wizards and more!
The Walled Garden Cafe will be serving delicious Halloween treats all day too.
This autumnal showcase for Scotland’s makers in wood goes from strength to strength. This year’s event will see 25 makers exhibiting their goods, from bespoke pieces of furniture and sculptures to smaller items including wooden spoons, jigsaws and jewellery.
Suppliers of native and exotic hardwoods will be exhibiting too – and this year will also feature Mesmerising Mechanisms, a collection of wooden machines requiring audience participation. Come along and turn a handle or two!
An iconic, and challenging, hill run between two breweries (Traquair and Broughton) that covers 30km and 1,500m of ascent in the wild hills of the Tweed Valley and beyond. It’s the 40th year of the race – so expect more than a few celebrations at the finish line!
The annual celebration of creativity in Innerleithen and Walkerburn returns with a packed programme of open artist studios, pop-up galleries, workshops, walking tours and live music. Keep an eye on social media for more updates!
The finale to TweedLove's enduro race season – and the final EVER TweedLove event – sees the race series return to the spiritual home of enduro: Innerleithen. Expect some big, boisterous and technical trails – and a few emotional farewells at the finish line. It’s going to be a packed field and a lively atmosphere in the town's shops, eateries and pubs.
The premier Highland Games in the Scottish Borders are back! As is tradition, the festivities will open with an impressive Chieftain's Parade from outside the Tontine Hotel to beautiful Hay Lodge Park on the outskirts of Peebles – with a day of dancing, music, Highland sports and food to ensue. A memorable day for all the family.
TweedLove have always championed mountain biking as a sport, designing new and inclusive events for riders of all abilities. This brand-new event – part of the Glentress Weekender – is an intermediate level enduro that will provide the perfect progression from the Enjoyro earlier in the summer. It’s suitable for riders who want to race an enduro, but don’t wish to take on those full technical and physical demands. Full festival vibes included as standard!
One of Scotland’s most popular summer mountain biking endurance events is back – but it’s going to look a bit different! The race will have a new course, with new trails and an event village and transition area at the start/finish line of the UCI Cycling World Championships. If you enjoyed watching Tom Pidcock and pals battle it out here in summer 23, you can now enjoy your own Glentress XC hero moment. Ride solo, or in teams of two or three. The most laps ridden in seven hours wins. Simple! A TweedLove event.
This fascinating event brings together internationally renowned broadcasters, writers, thinkers, artists, diplomats and politicians to meet, talk and exchange ideas with the public about some of the most interesting and pressing issues of our time. Alongside the talks is a growing programme of music, visual and performing arts, film, spoken word, and well-being activities including meditation, yoga, walking, and cycling – all set in the inspiring grounds of Traquair House.
With one of the largest entries of livestock in Scotland, show jumping, dog shows, family entertainment and almost 100 trade stands, this annual celebration of all things farming and agriculture is an excellent showcase for the impressive livestock bred in the area. A fabulous day out for all the family.
The stage is set for a memorable weekend of live music and festival vibes in the heart of Innerleithen. Expect plenty of local talent, exceptional performances and a hearty Tweed Valley welcome in the town's fabulous Vale Club, Union Club and other venues. Check out the Facebook page for the full line-up – and a few hidden gems at the Saturday afternoon open mic session.
Organised by local running club, Moorfoot Runners, the Cademuir Rollercoaster is a well-established fixture on the Scottish hill race calendar, providing an enjoyably challenging race for seasoned hill runners – and fit novices or newcomers.
The event features two short but testing races on the open grassy slopes of Cademuir Hill on the south side of Peebles, Scottish Borders: a 3km race (10am) and 6km race (10.30am). Enter on the day at Peebles High School Sports Centre. More information including race routes and entry details below.
Image: Neil Renton
A day out for dogs and their owners. Bring your dog along for some fun activities, competitions, displays and demos as well as doggy treats and organised walks. Highlights include Companion Dog Show with classes, sheep dog demonstration, agility, walks and mini circus, all in the beautiful grounds of Traquair House.
Instituted in 1827, The Games are the oldest organised sports meeting in Scotland and are part of a wider eight-day festival in the town of Innerleithen. The mysterious Cleikum Ceremonies are central to the week, celebrating the town’s association with its patron saint, St Ronan. A monk who took no nonsense from anyone, St Ronan is said to have engaged the Devil himself in combat, using his staff to drive him out of town. The festivities culminate in a torchlit procession that leads to Burnin’ the De’il and a fireworks display on top of nearby Caerlee Hill!
A spectacular festival of local legend, history and tradition, with a calendar of events that span the week. Celebrations begin with an inaugural service at the Cross Kirk on Sunday evening, the installation of the Cornet and Riding of the Marches a must-see event for the Wednesday and the Crowning of the Beltane Queen and lively procession the centrepiece to Beltane Saturday. Expect a week of silver bands, pipers, fancy dress and LOTS of horses!
The team behind Tour O The Borders are delighted to present a one-off, road cycling event as part of this year’s TweedLove Bike Festival. The Orbea LoveTouro powered by Cycle Law Scotland promises to be a beautiful, open road sportive that pays tribute to their sister closed road event. Expect a definite ‘Touro’ flavour, with miles of idyllic, quiet roads, the friendliest peleton and the tastiest macaroni pies. Short and long routes available.
Round 2 of the TweedLove Enduro Series will be the centrepiece to the 2024 TweedLove Bike Festival. The valley will play host to some of the world’s fastest enduro riders as they take to the hills around Peebles and Innerleithen for a weekend of epic thrills - and most likely a few spills!
The UK’s biggest bike festival is back with something for every age and ability of rider. Race or ride an event, or just soak up the bikefest vibe. See website for the many individual events and activities, including the YT Industries International – Round 2 of the TweedLove Enduro Series – the much-loved Enjoyro for the slightly less hardcore and a classic sportive around the stunning south of Scotland roads. Eat, drink, race, ride, shop, watch, cheer, jump and fly - all in one big weekend!
The Borders Book Festival returns to the Harmony House & Orchard in Melrose for another gathering of the great and good from the literary world. Keep an eye on the event website for programme details.
Outdoor promenade performances of Shakespeare classics return to the stunning grounds of Traquair House. Following last year’s thrilling production of Richard III, the company are tackling a less dark but equally thought-provoking tale of money and mercy, prejudice and social injustice. The Merchant of Venice may be over 400 years old, but its messages about love and humanity are just as relevant for audiences today.
Last year’s inaugural Electric Weekend was a highlight of the cycling calendar – so it’s no surprise this epic adventure designed exclusively for e-mountain bikers is back. Join the e-crew for two days of racing on some of the best trails in the furthest reaches of the valley, a dedicated campsite and event base, open air cinema, food, beer and more. It promises to be another awesome weekend on and off the bike.
Prepare to raise a glass to the Bard at a brand new Burns Night event at Bowhill House this January. The historic estate will celebrate the legacy of Robert Burns with an immersive whisky tasting experience that pays homage to Scotland's proud distilling traditions, alongside a sumptuous Burns Supper. The evening will be hosted by Calum Flanders, a whisky-loving expert.
If you’ve never experienced the Mighty Deerstalker before, this is your final chance to take on the challenge! As the sun goes down on the Scottish Borders, the fun begins. Organisers, Rat Race, will take you high into the hills, through the bitterly cold rivers and up the infamous scree slope on this legendary trail adventure race. With a classic afterparty lined up in the Beerstalker tent to finish, this event is not one to miss.
For the first time ever, you can wander the woodlands of Traquair and see some of Scotland's oldest trees lit up at night. These atmospheric woodlands were once the hunting grounds of the kings and queens of Scotland – and you can experience them in all their historical glory under the cover of darkness. See the ancient yew tree circle sparkle, and explore the Traquair maze with added light and drama! Hot chocolate, soup and refreshments available.
