Scott’s Selkirk : A Celebration of History and Culture

The charming town of Selkirk lies on the River Ettrick in the Scottish Borders. Its ancient history has been associated with a number of noteworthy people and it is in honor of one of these historical figures that the village hosts a weekend of celebration which is known as Scott’s Selkirk. During this pre-Christmas festival, which will take place on 6-7 December 2008, the town takes on an early 19th century ambiance, recalling a time when Sir Walter Scott was the presiding judge at the town’s Sheriff Court.

The weekend’s festivities kick off on the Thursday night with Selkirk’s famous Ghost Walk, and Friday night will be devoted to a lively Ceilidh at the Victoria Hall. The historic Sheriff Court and Sir Walter Scott’s courtroom will be open on both Saturday and Sunday where spectators will be entertained by the talented actors of the Borders Youth Theater. The dramatic re-enactment of court cases are a highlight on the jam-packed weekend schedule. The Selkirk Library will be hosting a number of events on both days, including performances by Tweed Theater, architectural tours of the Old Jail Center and plenty of activities to keep the children busy.

On both Saturday and Sunday the day’s activities will begin with the much-loved Costume Cavalcade. This will start from Mungo Park on Saturday, while Selkirk Parish Church will be the starting point on Sunday. On Saturday, children can enjoy traditional games at the St. Joseph’s Primary school as part of their craft fayre and coffee morning. Literary events will be held at the County Hotel in Selkirk on Saturday, with family-oriented performances taking place at the hotel on the Sunday.

The High Street and Market Place will be lined with stalls, Georgian Christmas-style, with plenty of exciting street entertainment. On Saturday, the Market Place will come alive with a presentation of Music, Mirth and Mulled Wine. A treasure hunt will incorporate the lovely local shops of Selkirk, where visitors are sure to find plenty of gifts for the upcoming Christmas season. Other events to look forward to include performances by Selkirk’s very own Flute Band, Silver Band and Pipe Band. On Sunday, the Belmont Fireworks display will be the grand finale of Scott’s Selkirk, signaling the end of this popular annual event.