An intriguing two-day literary festival in the historical surroundings of Traquair in Peebleshire, Scotland. Traquair House, which appears to be festival central, dates back to 1107 and is Scotland’s olderst inhabited house! We note that it has it’s own micro brewery, not that is of any interest to us…

The festival involves elements of bike riding and walking all with a literary twist as well talks and forums. It brings together a collection of Scottish broadcasters, international writers and cultural leaders of iconic small nations from around the world in the process.

It is organised by Beyond Borders, a Scottish-based creative initiative dedicated to showcasing the work of writers, intellectuals and filmmakers who come from small nations around the world. Their patrons include Lord Brown, Lord Steel, Sir Menzies Campbell, Helena Kennedy QC, Baroness Smith and Sir Kieran Prendergast.

Main marquee talks:

Friday 16th August

A Family Life Revealed (5.45 – 6.30pm)
Catherine Muller Stuart and Traquair Archivist, Margaret Fox give an insight into the lives of the Stuarts at Traquair from 1491 – 1875,from their recently published book based on letters and documents from the archives.

Steve Richards’ Rock ‘N’ Roll Politics 2 (7 – 8pm)
Award winning columnist and BBC broadcaster Steve Richards presents his Assembly Show, a behind the scenes guide to all the latest epic politicall and media dramas, from frenzied Tory plotting to the future of Scotland. Laugh, despair or hope as Cameron, Miliband, Clegg and Salmond struggle in a world all shook up.

Saturday 17th August

Is Sustainability All Local? (11.15 – 12pm)
Join Tessa Tennant as she talks to Jeremy Purvis of Keep Scotland Beautiful, journalist and self-professed “wannabe woodsman” Rob Penn and Tom Burke, Director of E3G as they tackle a crucial environmental debate and talk about how to protect Scotland’s woodlands, wild sanctuaries and precious borderlands.

Return of the King (12 – 12.45pm)
Meet Beyond Borders favourite, William Dalrymple as he returns to Traquair to read from his new book which examines the haunting parallels between Britain’s imperial adventures in Afghanistan in the 19th and 21st Centuries as well as talk about his new project concerning the Indo-Pak rivalry. Magnus Linklater asks the questions.

Who Do You Think You Are? (1 – 1.50pm)
Join Jim Naughtie for a light hearted debate as he explores the concept of national identity with Alistair Moffat, author of Britain’s DNA and Quilliam Foundation Chairman and Restaurateur, Iqbal Wahhab.

Crossing Borders (2 – 2.45pm)
Listen to Rory Stewart MP in conversation with Beyond Borders Patron, Magnus Linklater, as he talks about his life as a soldier, explorer, writer, diplomat and Borders politician.

Was Sir Walter Scott a Lyrical Nationalist? (3 – 3.40pm)
Discover Peter Sacks, Harvard’s most sought after literary professor, as he brings to life the timeless tales of the Scottish Border Ballads with the help of Jim Naughtie.

Iraq Ten Years On: What Lessons for Syria and the U.N.? (4 – 5pm)
Join General Sir Mike Jackson, Chatham House’s Jane Kinninmont and Sir Kieran Prendergast as they come together to discuss the Iraq War and its impact on the U.N. and Syria. Allan Little presides.

Insulating Dissent (5.15 – 6.15pm)
Meet William Sutcliffe as he talks about his new novel The Wall and later joins Palestinian singer Reem Kelani, Turkish commentator, Mesut Onen, Saudi Arabian artist Manal al-Dowayan, and Egyptian Film Director Akmal Saleh as they go onto discuss the rise of public and cultural protest across the world. Colombian author Oscar Guardiola-Rivera asks the questions.

From Tahrir to Traquair: Songs of Protest (6.15 – 6.45pm)
End the day with Reem Kelani, as we celebrate some of her most poignant protest songs.

Sunday 18th August

The Neuroscience of Ancient and Sacred Natural Sites (11.15 – 12pm)
Meet conservationist and author of Sacred Sites, Robert Wild, neuroscience explorer, Tim Phillips and, Deputy Director of the Museum of Modern Art, Maria Muller in the intimacy of the Chapel of Traquair as they explore why ancient places invoke such a powerful hold over our culture and should be protected during times of conflict.

Dispatches from the Most Dangerous Places on Earth (12 – 12.50pm)
Join Allan Little as war photographer, Paul Conroy, gives a haunting account of coming under fire with Marie Colvin in Syria in 2011 while author James Fergusson explains why Somalia became one of the most dangerous places on earth.

Can we Ever Trust the State? (1 – 1.50pm)
As more disclosures emerge about the extent of official surveillance in Western society John Kampfner asks whether we can ever trust the State to protect our liberties given previous experience. With Oscar Guardiola Rivera, author of upcoming book “Story of a Death Foretold” about the coup in Chile in 1973, Ben Emmerson QC author of the UN report on drone strikes, and other guests.

A Soldier’s Life (2 – 2.45pm)
General Sir Mike Jackson responds to the previous debate and talks about his life as one of Britain’s most prominent soldiers. Sir Kieran Prendergast poses the questions.

Scotland’s Role in the World (3 – 4pm)
Participate in an important debate about Scotland’s future and role in the world with a number of Scotland’s political luminaries, including a slew of politicians from across the political divide. Mark Muller Stuart KC, and Spanish Senator, Urko Aiartza Azurtza, from the Basque Country join the debate.

A Sense of Place (4.15 – 5pm)
Spend 45 minutes with US Pulitzer Prize winner poet Jorie Graham and Turkish poet Bejan Matur as they talk about their poetry, life and a sense of place. Geoffrey Baskerville poses the questions.

Understanding the Islamic World (5.20 – 6pm)
Join William Dalrymple as he talks to Sadakat Kadri about his journey through Sharia Law and the Sunni/Shia divide and Manny Ansar and former U.S. Diplomat Cynthia P. Schneider on why the West needs to reengage with the Islamic World.

2013 Programme

Morning cycles and walking sessions
Saturday 17th August

It’s all about the Bike (10 – 11am)
Join (author and cycling enthusiast) Rob Penn on a relaxed short round trip ride from Traquair to Glen House while he reflects on the state of cycling culture and the joys of pursuing happiness on two wheels.

Walking Scott’s Border Ballads (10 – 11am)

At yon castle wa’ join Fiona Houston as she talks to Harvard Lit Professor Peter Sacks and leads him through true Elfyn-land and beyond to rediscover the Medieval Border Ballads, saved- and tinkered with – by Sir Walter Scott.

Sunday 18th August

Talking Science event: If trees could talk – what would they say? (10 – 11.15am)

A Talking Science Project in partnership with Beyond Borders Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Join this session to explore Traquair’s historic landscape and discover the stories of its amazing trees.
Participants: Robert Wild, Catherine Maxwell Stuart, Jeremy Purvis, Ian D Edwards (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh)

Cycle with Rob Penn from Traquair to Abbotsford House (10am – 12pm)
Experienced cyclists are welcome to join Rob Penn in a fast cycle from one beautiful House to another, to celebrate the reopening of Sir Walter Scott’s home at Abbotsford.

A Family Storytelling Ride from Neidpath to Traquair (10 – 11.45am)
Join local storyteller John Nicol on a family cycle from Neidpath to Traquair House down the new Peebles to Innerleithen cycle track.

Ongoing free exhibitions and performances
P L A C E with Jorie Graham
Informal poetry readings from Jorie Graham in the House and Grounds of Traquair.

I AM by Manal Al Dowayan
Saudi Arabian artist Manal Al Dowayan presents her I Am Photographic Exhibition in collaboration with the Club of Madrid and President Clinton Library.

Portraits from a Festival
Wander the rooms of Traquair to discover the portraits of past Beyond Borders participants. Curated by David Packard.

The Enduring Middle East Syria Appeal
Buy a painting and book in the Tea Room in aid of Syria from last years Enduring Middle East Exhibition from Joseph Maxwell Stuart and Mark Muller Stuart.

Infiltrators
In the Traquair Pavilion – watch an extraordinary film about Palestinian attempts to breach the Israeli Separation Barrier.

Pharaohs vs The Egyptians
Watch the powerful and revealing documentary by Australian comedian Akmal Saleh. Born in Egypt, Akmal returns to the country to explore how the people were able to overthrow a dictator in rule for over thirty years.

Read more here:

http://www.literaryfestivals.co.uk/books_borders_bikes.html