A brand new festival launches on the last week of August at The Eastgate Theatre in Peebles, celebrating nature through visual art, music, workshops, special film screenings, talks and more. The festival has something for everyone, including the wee ones. I read a quote recently from acclaimed wildlife photographer Hamza Yassin which said “If you give a child a chance to fall in love with mother nature, they will make this world a better place.” Well, The Eastgate are giving us all an opportunity to fall in love with Mother Nature between 24 and 31 August, so here’s some more details…

Saturday 24 August

The Merlindale Nature Festival takes place in Drumlezier. It’s free to take part and runs from 2 - 6pm. The festival, now in its third year, features local and national conservation groups, with a number of wildlife walks and talks. It’s great to see these two Peeblesshire nature festivals working together. Find out more here, or watch the video highlights from last year…

Back at The Eastgate, Saturday is the first of a two day run for Back to Nature Art Exhibition. This runs 10am - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, and is again free. A number of visual artists will be showing their work, inspired by the natural world. I am particularly keen to see the work of Nina Davidson, a wonderful photographer who is inspired by her home in the Megget Valley.

Wednesday 28 August

The theatre hosts a special screening of David Allen’s ‘Wilding’. A startling documentary which explores once couples attempt to reinvigorate the future of a failing English country estate. They begin what has become one of the most important rewilding projects in Europe. Tickets are going quite fast for this one, and there is a special rate for families, you can pick them up here.

Thursday 29 August

When talking about the ecological environment, here in The Borders and further afield, it’s easy to feel helpless as we take stock of some of the stats: only 2-3% of native woodland remains, 99% of wildflower meadows have been lost since World War 2. A special talk will take place as part of the festival, Changing Lands, where Matt Griffin, Fi Martynoga, Karen Blackport and David Lintott will share the stage, talking about the biodiversity crisis and what can be done about it. One of the topics covered will be regenerative farming and you can see some of the work being done by Matt Griffin at Edston, just outside Peebles, on this clip. Tickets are available for this essential talk here.

Friday 30 August

Tweed Forum will present two Riverbank Workshop’s, exploring the wildlife on the River Tweed with youngsters. A chance for the kids to get hands on, and a bit soggy, at the side of the great river. Both sessions are free, meeting at the Eastgate at 10 (suitable for Pre-School, but older and younger siblings welcome) and 2 (suitable for ages 7 to 11, older and younger siblings welcome).

Two events at the theatre on Friday. Between 3 and 5 Aurora Engine Workshop will explore the natural world through singing and vocals. All abilities welcome, with the emphasis on music giving us a deeper connection to nature. Then in the evening at 7.30pm Aurora Engine present Terre. A sonic exploration of Scotland’s landscape, with a (voluntary!) option for those who learned the afternoons piece to take part. Both sessions will operate on a ‘pay what you can’ basis with options of £8, £10 and £12. Tickets available here.

‘Terre’ by Aurora Engine

*Image courtesy of Eastgate Theatre*

Saturday 31 August

Watercolour artist Darren Woodhead invites you to join him on the riverbank at 10am for a Watercolour Workshop. All materials will be provided - just wrap up warm for a Scottish august… This event also operates on a ‘pay what you can’ basis with options of £8, £10 and £12.

Rounding out the festival is Buzzing About, a day aimed at kids, with sessions at 10am - 1pm and 2pm -5pm. Expect Arts & Crafts, live music, and demonstrations on how we can play our part in improving the natural environment. Tickets are £5 and both sessions include live music in the auditorium.

Well done to all at The Eastgate Theatre for curating this intriguing programme of events around such a vitally important theme. Looking forward to the festival!

Please note, I am not affiliated with the Eastgate Theatre and this is not paid promotion - I just like to try to help causes and places I love :)

Back to Nature Festival at The Eastgate