What’s on in September?

September is absolutely rocking with activities in the South of Scotland this year. Head to the Wigtown Book Festival at the heart of Scotland’s National Book Town or sample native oysters in Stranraer on the far western coast. How about a wild swim at night in Loch Ken, or a spooky walk through Moffat at its first annual walking festival? Head out to an arts event or take a cruise along the Berwickshire Coast during the Scottish Geology Festival. Truly there is so much going on you’ll be wondering where to start. But Start Here, in the South of Scotland, this September.

Wigtown Book Festival

Where: Wigtown

The 10-day Wigtown Book Festival is now one of the UK’s best-loved literary events set in the beautiful countryside of Dumfries & Galloway. This year headline names include authors Robert Harris, John Boyne, Lisa Jewell, Jeremy Bowen, children’s illustrator and author Lauren Child and Outlander star and Clanlands co-author Graham McTavish.

Held in Scotland’s National Book Town, there are over 500,000 titles to choose from as well as plenty of free, family friendly activities on offer during the festival. Join the festivities and opening night fire works, catch a show at the bijou Swallow Theatre, head out on one of the guided literary walks or take time to sample the lowland whisky during a tour of the Bladnoch Distillery.

Creative Peebles

Where: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles

Starting at the end of August and running into September is the Creative Peebles Festival. This annual celebration of all things creative is centred on Peebles’ Eastgate Theatre with an exciting mix of live music, drama – with Borders Pub Theatre giving six new plays about the Tweed and The National Theatre of Scotland presenting a resonant story around political morality – and plenty of action outside. Look out for the Callants Annual Busking Competition, film shows in one of the smallest theatres in the country, plus a walk and talk themed around John Buchan’s local connections.

Scottish Geology Festival

Where: Berwickshire Coast

Explore and enjoy Scotland’s past, present, and future through the Scottish Geology Festival this month. Three events take place in the Borders celebrating James Hutton’s founding of geology at Siccar Point on the Berwickshire Coast. Head out for a walk to Siccar Point – it is Scotland’s most important geological site, but is tucked away on the rugged coastline of the Scottish Borders, a hidden gem with beautiful coastal scenery and a rich geological story. Or perhaps you’d rather travel back in time on a 3-hour cruise along the Berwickshire Coast from Eyemouth, past St Abb’s Head, to Siccar Point and back. There will be a geological and a wildlife guide on board to tell you all about the geology, wildlife and local history as you pass. Or there’s a second cruise to Lamberton Skerrs & Marshall Meadows also along the Berwickshire Coast.

Stranraer Oyster Festival

Where: Stranraer

Stranraer Oyster Festival is back with a bang in 2022! Three days of festivities, flavour and fun, overlooking beautiful Loch Ryan, where native oysters flourish. Scotland’s spice king, chef Tony Singh and celebrity and tv chef Clodagh McKenna will be in the demonstrations kitchen and there will also be an audience with Tony Singh. Add to this live music, family fun, artisan producers and thousands upon thousands of delicious native oysters and the warm welcome of this community-led festival and you are sure to have an oyster extravanganza weekend.

Music at the Multiverse

Where: Crawick Multiverse, Sanquhar

The unique and spectacular outdoor venue of Crawick Multiverse will host two days of family-friendly live music, across two stages. Music at the Multiverse this year features the second stage and a Dance Tent hosted by well-known local DJ Malcolm X featuring special guests playing the best Oldskool sets and anthems. Headlining the Main Stage, set within the Sun Amphitheatre, will be Scottish indie rock band Glasvegas and kilted Celtic rockers, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers along with pop favourites The Bluebells and Bay City Rollers, all supported by local talent. Experience this amazing art installation garden by renowned landscape designer Charles Jencks at its absolute best with a fully licenced bar and locally produced food.

Scottish Borders Walking Festival

Where: Stow and Galashiels

Hosted by Galashiels and Stow, the Scottish Borders Walking Festival offers you the chance to see the local’s favourite walks and enjoy the stunning scenery. A large and varied selection of walks over the festival week will be led by enthusiastic local walk leaders, with a wealth of local knowledge and local walking experience. There are social events held at the Focus Community Centre which offer the opportunity to compare notes and pick up tips for your next outdoor foray.

Charity Wild Swim Weekend

Where: Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken

Now in its ninth year, the Galloway Activity Centre on the shores of Loch Ken is hosting its Charity Wild Swim Weekend. This chance to swim in the gorgeous waters of Loch Ken offers plenty of challenges including a night swim and new for this year, a 10km race. This is the perfect opportunity to try wild swimming for the first time, venture in at night or really challenge your skills. The events offer full safety cover and there are a range of family-friendly activities during the weekend.

Tour of Britain – Stage 2

Where: Hawick to Duns

The UK’s biggest and most prestigious road race heads back to the Scottish Borders on the 5th of September. World champions and Olympic riders will set out from Hawick, famous for its knitwear and the whisky distillery to tackle a mix of roads old and new to the Tour of Britain. Head along to see the riders set off, or cheer them on in one of the many local towns such as Jedburgh, Kelso, Coldstream and all the way to the Berwickshire coastline. For the first time ever, the event will finish in Duns, where the stage winner will be crowned in the shadow of the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum.

Autumn Wildlife Bonaza

Where: Carsphairn

Muirdrochwood Forest, near Carsphairn, Dumfries & Galloway boasts a rather smart, new, octagonal wildlife hide that is an excellent opportunity to spot a whole range of Galloway wildlife. To celebrate its installation, a range of partners are running a ‘Autumn Wildlife Bonanza’ of free expert-led public events, lifting the lid on what you can see from the hide! Want to learn about squirrels and pine martens? Or wondering about the differences between toadstools and mushrooms? Join the experts to find out more.

Great Tapestry Gala Day

Where: Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels

To celebrate its official opening, the Great Tapestry of Scotland is hosting a Gala Day featuring entertainment for all ages including: live music, carnival style street entertainment, puppet shows and workshops, bubbleology, craft workshops, textile demonstrations, a solar powered cinema in a converted caravan and much more. Entry to the Tapestry’s visitor centre will be free for everyone for the afternoon and visitors can expect to meet some of the biggest stars from Scotland’s history, as featured on the Tapestry itself!

Moffat Walking Weekend

Where: Moffat

With 14 different walks on offer there is much to be enjoyed at the inaugural Moffat Walking Weekend. Two night walks particularly set out to capture the imagination. The Dark Sky Walk celebrates Moffat as the UK’s only Dark Sky town. Biosphere Dark Sky Ranger, Elizabeth Tindal, will lead you up Gallow Hill path and take advantage of the really dark skies for some stargazing. Elizabeth will tell you some of the science and stories behind the stars, their constellations and the rest of our universe.  For something of a spookier nature, join award-winning storytellers Mostly Ghostly for tales of Moffat’s fascinating and, at times, dark history.

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival – Arts Live

Where: Across Dumfries & Galloway

The D&G Arts Festival – Arts Live programme kicks off in September with Lost in Music, a gig-theatre show inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice: the story of a talented musical couple’s journey to hell and back. It’s a tale about the power of music which has been told and retold for thousands of years.