Where: Hawick, Scottish Borders
£: Ticket prices vary depending on the event. Some events are free.
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, the biggest town in the Scottish Borders, and offers a flavour of life in these times. This year the festival takes place from 27th to 29th March 2015 with a range of events including re-enactments, processions, talks, workshops and banquets.
The festival kicks off on Friday 27th March with a concert at Hawick Old Baths. Then, on the Saturday there will be a 16th century market and encampment at South End, Hawick High Street, from 10.30am to 3pm. Activities at the encampment will include drumming, musket drills and parades.
Re-enactment groups at the festival will include the Border Reivers who try to dramatically portray all aspects of everyday life in the 16th century Borders; food, entertainment, daily tasks, politics, combat and training. Members of the group use the clothing, weapons, props, and skills of the times. Les Amis d’Onno, a family run troupe, will also return with their impeccably trained horses.
Falconry Scotland will be showing their birds at the Reivers Market, giving visitors the opportunity to get up close and handle some of the birds.
There will also be a drop-in workshop at Drumlanrig Tower from 1pm until 4pm. Visitors can try their hands at lucet knitting, weaving, smell boxes, Reivers-themed word searches and item hunts within the building. The day ends with a torchlit procession from 6.45pm, a fireworks display at 7.30pm and a banquet at 8pm.
The Hawick Reivers Festival will round off on the Sunday with a literary talk and high tea at Hawick Rugby Club, and a ghost tour of Drumlanrig Tower and surrounding area at 7pm and 8pm.
More info: www.hawickreivers.co.uk and www.facebook.com/hawick.reiversfestival