The Hawick Reivers Festival, Scottish Borders

When: 23rd – 25th March 2012

Where: Hawick, Scottish Borders

£: prices vary for the different festival events

What is it?

At a time when England and Scotland were at war, those living in the borders became known as Reivers. The Reivers Festival takes place in Hawick, which is the biggest town in the Scottish Borders and offers a flavour of life in these times. The festival grows each year and this is the 10th to take place with something for all ages to enjoy.

This year there will be re-enactments and living history groups, talks and lectures, period plays by school groups and a spectacular torchlight procession and fireworks display. There will be two concerts with local band Scocha, as well as Session A9, who are one of the top traditional music bands in Scotland at the moment.

On the Saturday enjoy the Reivers procession, a 16th Century market and encampment, special trials where local characters face the stocks, ‘Horrible Histories of the Borders’ exhibition, a kite making workshop, a ceramic workshop, a Hawick Archaeological Society lecture, torchlit procession and fireworks display.

On the Sunday there is the Reivers encampment with children competing in a series of games from Reiving times, an archery demonstration, falconry display and a literary talk with high tea included.

More info: www.hawickreivers.com