Wednesday, April 17, 2024
EntertainmentSporting legends join borders book festival line up

Sporting legends join borders book festival line up

A BOOK festival has announced a star-studded line-up including former F1 racing driver David Coulthard and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.

Other notable guests at this summer’s Baillie Gifford Borders Book festival include television presenter Kate Humble, Scotland Rugby team’s head coach Gregor Townsend and Scottish presenter Susan Calman .

The full-line up of over 100 events was announced this week with tickets go on sale for the four-day book festival, running from 13th to 16th June at Harmony Garden in Melrose in the Scottish Borders.

David Coulthard and Gregor Townsend will be at the festival

Festival Director Alistair Moffat, explained how they are looking forward to the festival kicking off in under two months time.

He said: “After a long winter and much discontent, the clouds are parting and a brilliant sun will shine on Harmony Garden in June. The marquees will rise, the seats will be set out, the sound systems installed, the show will begin and the spells of enchantment will weave their magic.

“For four glorious, glowing days, the world will come to Melrose to celebrate at what Michael Palin, Prue Leith and Neil Oliver have hailed as the best book festival in Britain.

“In 2019 new faces will be everywhere, from lovely Alan Titchmarsh, Kate Humble, Michaela Strachan, David Coulthard and Fintan O’Toole. And in sessions with fascinating, unexpected storytellers, you will hear a pin drop. The epic tale of Lara Prior-Palmer’s victory in a thousand-kilometre Mongolian horse race will thrill and David Wilson’s amazing life as a former prison governor and criminologist will leave audiences wide-eyed.

“The wonderful Walter Scott Prize has laureated the best of historical fiction for ten years and we plan a mighty celebration. In fact, the whole festival, with the strongest programme ever, is just that – a party that rejoices in the best of Britain and is one of the best parties in Britain.”

Tickets for this year’s Baillie Gifford Borders Book Festival are available from Hub Tickets, at www.bordersbookfestival.org or at 0131 473 2000.

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