Borders Book Festival promises literary 'magic' in Melrose
- Published
The festival promises more than 100 events from 15 to 18 June
John Cleese, Michael Parkinson and Judy Murray are among the big names involved at this year's Borders Book Festival in Melrose.
The line-up has been announced for the 14th edition of the event which runs from 15 to 18 June.
It promises to bring "some of the biggest names from the world of books, entertainment and politics".
The programme of over 100 events includes writers and broadcasters from across a huge range of genres.
Among the participants this year are:
best-selling novelists Joanna Trollope and Arabella Weir
journalist Misha Glenny, broadcaster James Naughtie and satirist and Private Eye co-founder Richard Ingrams
gardening expert Carol Klein
star of Dinner Ladies and Last Tango in Halifax, Anne Reid
crime writers Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Chris Brookmyre and Mark Billingham
foodie raconteur Jay Rayner, wildlife TV-presenter Steve Backshall, Top Gear script editor Richard Porter and political satirist and impressionist Rory Bremner
A wide selection of political events are scheduled throughout the festival.
Organisers said they hoped the programme would "enthral audiences"
Also taking part from the world of children's books are Philip Ardagh, Guy Bass, Vivian French, Petr Horacek and Derek Landy.
The winner of this year's prestigious £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction will be announced at the event on Saturday 17 June.
Festival director Alistair Moffat said: "Every year we aim to bring some magic to the Borders within the walls of Harmony Garden and this year is no exception.
"John Cleese, Michael Parkinson, Judy Murray, Anne Reid, Richard Ingrams, Allan Little, Steve Backshall, Rory Bremner, Jim Naughtie, Carol Klein, Joanna Trollope, and Melvyn Bragg will all, without doubt, enthral our audiences."
Kaite Welsh, literature officer at Creative Scotland, said the event had become an "essential fixture" on the literary calendar.
"Always with a diverse programme of literary events in a beautiful setting, the talks enthral younger readers and stimulate debate in older ones," she said.
"With a brilliant roster of well-known and emerging voices, 2017's festival promises to be a highlight."