As we enter the final weeks of 2026 its time to both take stock of the year that was but also look ahead - as 2027 promises to be a cracker! Here are some of my own personal highlights of the must see and do events and attractions in 2027 across The Scottish Borders, along with a selection of some of my own favourite images of our wonderful region.
Tour De France Grand Depart - Friday 2 July
This is a monster event for the region, expected to bring tens of thousands of visitors to places along the route such as Innerleithen, Galashiels, Melrose, Selkirk, Hawick and Newcastleton. The full stage starts in Edinburgh and finishes in Carlisle. Allez Le Tour!
St. Ronan’s Border Games Bicentenary - Events all year
This is one close to my heart and perhaps very specific to my hometown of Innerleithen. That said however, ‘The Games’ which James Hogg set up in 1827 are the oldest sporting event of their type in Scotland and reaching a bicentenary is something to be proud of, and shout about! The organisers have planned a dinner dance in February, enhanced Bicentenary Games Week events in July and a special long weekend of events in September to mark the 200th date itself on 26 Sept 2027. I am excited to be invovled and can’t wait for this celebration of sport and community.
Borders Book Festival 2027 - 17 to 20 June
The biggest annual event in The Borders returns to Harmony Garden in June for four days of sunny bliss and literary treats. This is one of my favourite times of the year, and I am really interested to see what Paula Ogilvie brings as sole creative director this year, following the retirement of Alistair Moffat. I expect more of the same, but know Paula will want to continue to grow and enhance this event. Bring on the long evenings of June, where it never rains!
Caerlee Mill Bike Campus Opening - July
Another one for my home town of Innerleithen, but again something I expect to have a big impact on the wider Borders. A huge investment has transformed the old Caerlee Mill site in the centre of the town, turning it into a world-class facility where businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders will come together to shape the future of cycling. The building works are now expected to be completed ahead of the Tour de France's arrival, and will provide a physical home for the new partnership Bike Innovation Scotland. The campus is expected to host events, with the IMBA Europe Summit scheduled for September 2027, as they look to make good on the expected economic benefits. Part of the deal to fund it was that a bike park would be created in the Tweed Valley as well, with uplifts, new facilities etc. No news on that of late so it will be interesting to see how that develops as I think that does have transformative potential for the area, if managed correctly…
Alan Carr’s ‘Castle Man’ on Disney+ - TBC
At time of going to press we don’t have official dates for this documentary airing on Disney+, however when it does it is going to be huge for Berwickshire and the rest of The Borders! There was much excitement at the start of the year when it emerged that TV mega star and Celebrity Traitors Champion Alan Carr had bought Ayton Castle. All year little snippets of Alan’s adventures have emerged - selling the concrete menagerie, taking Carol Vorderman to Eyemouth, opening the Ayton community hub. Alan seems to be the real deal and his show will hopefully bring positive attention and more visitors to beautiful Berwickshire.
Borders Art Fair - 12 to 14 March
Scotland’s biggest art fair! Held in Kelso, it’s a fantastic event to showcase artists, take part in workshops or meet creatives and talk about their work. We have such a creative community in The Borders, I don’t think its talked about enough - the likes of Art at Ancrum, The Hugo Burge Foundation at Marchmont, Tweed Valley Art Trail, Connecting Threads and more add so much to the area. We seem determined to outsource creativity and anything that causes friction to machines now so, for me anyway, I want to make 2027 a year where art, artists and the Borders landscape that inspires them is top of the agenda!
