FUN IN THE SUN
Great days out to keep the children happy all summer
With beautiful rolling hills, vast forest parks and beautiful coastlines and beaches, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway are ideal for summer holiday family fun.
Next month, why not enjoy a special steam train experience travelling over the Forth Bridge and along the Borders Railway to relax in the heart of the Scottish Borders?
Families can head to the Scottish Borders by steam train every Sunday during August on a Black Five steam locomotive operated by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.
For the first time the journey will follow a route that takes in two of Scotland’s great scenic rail journeys – the Borders Railway and the Forth Bridge, designated a UNESCO World heritage Site in 2015.
there are lots of things for little ones to see and do once they arrive in the Borders. trips leaving from tweedbank railway staWANt tion will visit Abbotsford house, home of Sir Walter Scott, as well as the historic towns of Melrose and Galashiels. srps.org.uk/borders
With lots of events over the summer period, take a look at these great ideas to keep the children and the whole family entertained.
A celebration of the riding of the boundaries has taken place for centuries, with 11 Borders towns using horses for the traditional ride-out.
the festivals surrounding these ride-outs are steeped in tradition and celebrate Borders history, music and song, parades, and concerts culminating in the whole town attending the Riding.
First up is Kelso Civic Week, from Sunday until July 22, followed by Langholm Common Riding, from July 25-30, Lauder Common Riding on August 5, and finally Coldstream Civic Week, from August 6-12. returntotheridings.co.uk Established Celtic music festival innerleithen Music Festival will be held in the tweed Valley town from August 18-20. there will be sessions, traditional singing, street events and workshops – and international stars. innerleithenmusicfestival.org
Enjoy the Massed Pipe Band and Family Fun Day at Floors Castle, Kelso, Roxburghshire, on August 27. A fantastic day out for the whole family, featuring pipe bands from across the Borders and Lothians. floorscastle.com/whats-on/ events/massed-pipe-bandfamily-fun-day.html
Across the Borders, spectacular heritage sites will be celebrated through light, music, storytelling, re-enactments, theatre and performance. Alongside a programme of walks, talks and exhibitions, new highlight events will take place in castles, tower houses and abbeys, bringing the unique and colourful history of the Borders alive from September 1-30. facebook.com/ bordersheritagefestival
Over in Kirkcudbrightshire, a whole summer of fun, including music events, a garden festival, medieval fayre, historical walks, the annual tattoo with fireworks, and a Scottish night, runs throughout the summer until the end of September. kirkcudbright.town
hear the thunder of hooves and clashing of lances as the annual jousting tournament charges into the medieval stronghold of Caerlaverock Castle on the Solway Coast. Watch as the noble knights battle it out to be crowned champion from July 29-30. Wander through the medieval encampments, meet the retinues and soldiers – and join in the fun. historic-scotland.gov.uk