Scottish Borders Walking Festival is not just about the walks; there are a number of social events held throughout the week to provide entertainment for both visitors and locals.
Welcome Night
A get together to celebrate the opening of the 19th festival. The standard bearer and his attendants will perform the reel to give visitors a flavour of Innerleithen. Catering will be provided and local historians Ted McKie and Ross McGinn will give a short talk on the town’s history.
| Event code | A |
| Date | Saturday 31st August 2013 |
| Time | 7 pm |
| Venue | St Ronan’s Primary School, Innerleithen |
| Cost | Free, no need to book |
Talk on Robert Mathison
The Innerleithen Alpine Club was founded in 1889 under the charismatic leadership of Robert Mathison. A heritage movement before its time, the Club dedicated itself to the study of the geology, botany and antiquities of the Scottish Borders. Alastair Learmont from Learmont Mackenzie Travel tells the inspiring tale of a Borders Hugh Miller and a remarkable community institution. This event is linked to Walk 1.1 – Robert Mathison Walk.
| Event code | B |
| Date | Sunday 1st September 2013 |
| Time | 7 pm for approx 60 mins |
| Venue | Union Club, Innerleithen |
| Cost | £2 (click here to book) |
Whistle Stop Smail’s and Supper
Sample Innerleithen by visiting one of the National Trust for Scotland’s more unusual properties, Robert Smail’s Printing Works, a fully operational Victorian letterpress printers. Then relax in friendly surroundings and enjoy a two course supper at the Whistle Stop Café. Most areas of the printing works are fully accessible but there are stairs to the caseroom. The café is fully accessible.
For more information call Smail’s on 0844 493 2259.
Smail’s: 7-9 High Street Innerleithen EH44 6HA
Whistle Stop: 12 High Street Innerleithen, EH44 6HA
Ticket price of £17 includes tour, two course meal and tea or coffee. There is a supplement of £3 (payable on the night) if you would like three courses. Click here to see the menu.
| Event code | C |
| Date | Monday 2nd September 2013 |
| Time | 6 pm (1 hour for tour, 1½ hours for supper) |
| Venue | Robert Smail’s Print Works and Whistle Stop Cafe, Innerleithen |
| Cost | £17 |
Talk by Kellan MacInnes
Kellan MacInnes is the author of the bestselling book Caleb’s List, Climbing the Scottish Mountains Visible from Arthur’s Seat, which tells the story of his discovery of a long forgotten Scottish hill list compiled by Victorian mountaineer Caleb George Cash, an early Scottish mountaineer who explored the Cairngorms in the 1890s and a pioneer of natural conservation.
Kellan is a long term survivor of AIDS who has lived with HIV for the past 25 years, and set out to climb the 20 hills on Caleb’s list, along the way experiencing the healing power of the Scottish landscape. He will be talking about his experiences climbing the Scottish mountains visible from Arthur’s Seat and the life and times of Cash, the early Scottish mountaineer.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions and buy signed copies of Caleb’s List. A percentage of net sales of the book will be donated to Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading charity supporting people living with HIV and Hepatitis C.
| Event code | D |
| Date | Monday 2nd September 2013 |
| Time | 7.30 pm for 60-90 mins |
| Venue | Vale Club, Innerleithen |
| Cost | £2 (click here to book) |
Guided Brewery Tour and Real Ale Tasting in Traquair Dining Room
Take an exclusive look into the workings of the famous Traquair Brewery housed in the eighteenth century wing where the world famous Traquair House Ales are produced. After the tour taste all four delicious bottled ales brewed at Traquair in the 18th century Dining Room.
| Event code | E |
| Date | Tuesday 3rd September 2013 |
| Time | 8 pm |
| Venue | Traquair House, Innerleithen |
| Cost | £8.50 (click here to book) |
Quiz Night
| Event code | F |
| Date | Wednesday 4th September 2013 |
| Time | 8 pm |
| Venue | Vale Club, Innerleithen |
| Cost | £10 a team (max 6) (click here to book) |
InkyPrints
This walking and printing activity will involve a walk around the nature trail and then a session of printing and making from what is collected. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Children over 8 can attend without an adult but must be registered by an adult at the start and let leaders know arrangements for collection at the end. The activity will involve a walk around the nature trail which is uneven and not paved.
For more information contact Smail’s on 0844 493 2259.
| Event code | G |
| Date | Wednesday 4th September 2013 |
| Time | 3.15 – 5 pm |
| Venue | St Ronans Primary School, Innerleithen |
| Cost | Free (click here to book) |
Innerleithen History Walk
Local historians Ted McKie and Ross McGinn will take you on a tour of Innerleithen gone by.
| Event code | H |
| Date | Wednesday 4th September 2013 |
| Time | 6 pm |
| Venue | Meet at Memorial Hall, Innerleithen |
| Cost | £3, no need to book |
Finger Buffet and Live Entertainment at the Clovenfords Country Inn
The Boyds will be playing a live mix of 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s songs including Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and Eagles at the Country Inn with a two hour set in the conservatory.
The Clovenfords Hotel was originally Whytbank Cottages, the first houses in the village, converting to an inn circa 1750. Sheriff Sir Walter Scott stayed in the hotel from 1799 to 1801, before moving to Ashiestiel. Between 1803 and 1901, the hotel relocated to a smaller building across the road, now “The Old Staging House”.
| Event code | I |
| Date | Thursday 5th September 2013 |
| Time | 7.30 for 8 pm |
| Venue | Clovenfords Country Inn |
| Cost | £5, no need to book |
Ceilidh with the Clarty Cloot
A traditional Scottish ceilidh with a bar and dancing to the music of the Clarty Cloot.
| Event code | J |
| Date | Friday 6th September 2013 |
| Time | 8pm |
| Venue | Memorial Hall, Innerleithen |
| Cost | £8 (click here to book) |
Caddonfoot Real Ale Festival
Unfortunately this event is not able to go ahead at the hall, but we are looking into holding something similar at the Clovenfords Hotel.
Closing Ceremony
Innerleithen’s Silver Band and Pipe Band will play and the Shepherd’s crook handed over to the host of next year’s walking festival. Meet at Hall Street, Innerleithen and walk to Memorial Hall.
| Event code | L |
| Date | Saturday 7th September 2013 |
| Time | 5pm |
| Venue | Memorial Hall, Innerleithen |
| Cost | Free, no need to book |