Festivals, hip hip!
Ah, grandkids,
Festivals!!! The best and usually the greatest value there is to give you laughs, tears, new experiences and fabulous memories to share.
There are all sorts of festivals. Music…where maybe your top band is playing in a big field and you wouldn’t see them anywhere else! New music where it’s just way outside, near a beer tent and people dance to their own tune – and songs – dance like no one is watching.
Theatre….old and new, classics and avant garde! Workshops – go on, join in guys! Inspired to join a theatre group – girls, ask bro’ Sandy about this – he’s done the lot.
Walking, outdoors stuff, even climbing – folks get together and love the hills – attires they save the hills too, through conservation – build dykes, clean rivers, cook sausages!
Watersports – canoes on rivers, sea kayaks, swimming festivals, wild water gatherings – there is a local club near you who swim on new years day when it’s freezing!! Go on Faye, dive right in.
There are festivals wherever there are people meeting in a group, large and small. Sports, singing,
Dancing, running all sorts of distances…….on yer marks Bonnie Alba!!
So, it’s mid July 2026, it’s a busy festival time all round – when you can get yourself to them, grab a parent if you have to, or a pal if your of the age….at this time of year the Borders Festivals are June to August…… at full tilt….you will all probably know that they are based on horseback – the local Common Ridings – all the main towns have their own, of which they are very proud. The main activity for most is big ‘Rideout’ on horseback – of course – where each community has Principal riders leading the cavalcade sometimes up tp 300 riders.
Ask uncle Stuart Marshall- he’s been practicing and is riding Lauder this year, his first, maybe not last, he’s enjoying the practice – that is on the first Saturday in August , Lauder, – each town has it’s set days and mum will take you to see him. Shout loud Breagha – HIP HIP – it will be you soon, your horse riding is getting better and better.
And it’s not just horses, there’s usually a fair ground, cafe/beer tents, sports for all ages, games stalls. Great times to be had!!
Breagha has been round on the young peoples ride, led by dad, pics looked great – dad will have to ride by himself on Saturday – meanwhile Wednesday brings the fancy dress – all together!!
That’s just local- what about a trip to the Capital? Yep, Edinburgh is flooded with festivals and millions of tourists every year visiting the ‘Worlds Largest Music and Arts Festival’ in the world.
They say there are nine festivals in Edinburgh -they call it the Festival city – for tourists of course.
The earliest fest starts with the Jazz and Blues events – world wide talents and some cool evening gigs. (Wow I’m in the zone eh?)
BIG Edinburgh Festival, classic world standard performers in music, dance and theatre is the Real Festival – BOOK EARLY – but the real, real festival is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – 3000 shows of every wonderful, hilarious and bizarre model you can find -you will always find a show with so many on but more well known acts sell out quite soon, so get to it!
The Book Festival has a world wide reputation now, 600 writers from 41 countries – ouch, got to be a page turner in there somewhere.the film festival does what it says on the tin – all sorts.
And interest Science Festival in too!
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo must be seen once – if you don’t think it’s for you, go and you won’t regret it – for the venue of Edinburgh Castle at least, awash with clever talented performances.
AND FINALLY – THE new year street party, arguably one of the best, fireworks and 5000 people. Enjoy.