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Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm Thursday 9:30am - 6pm Friday 9:30am - 6pm

Beyond Borders Scotland

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The Platform for International Dialogue and Cultural Exchange

28/08/2026

🌿 Discover Nature at Beyond Borders 2026

Beyond Borders isn’t just about big ideas and fascinating conversations. Discover the magic of Traquair by getting outside, slowing down and exploring.

From foraging through the grounds and learning about the herbs and plants around us, to tea making and tasting, storytelling walks and exploring the historic gardens, there are plenty of ways to experience Traquair from a different perspective.

🌱 Forage with Fi Martynoga
🍵 Discover, make and taste herbal teas with Nicola Orr
🚶 Explore the grounds with local storytellers
🌳 Wander through the gardens and grounds of Traquair

So come and discover the history and hidden corners of Scotland’s oldest inhabited house.

📅 29–30 August 2026
📍 Traquair House, Scottish Borders

🎟️ Tickets & full programme: https://bbintfest.com/booking-information/

27/08/2026

We’re delighted to welcome back Jeremy Corbyn to this year’s Beyond Borders International Festival, where he’ll join broadcaster Kirsty Lang for ‘News Review’.

This will be lively discussion looking back at another extraordinary year in British and international politics.

A long-standing campaigner for peace, justice and human rights, Corbyn has represented Islington North for more than four decades and served as Leader of the Labour Party from 2015–2020.

His political work has taken him around the world, from nuclear disarmament and human rights to the Middle East and international peacebuilding.

He’ll also discuss the newly launched book. The Gaza Tribunal exploring accountability and justice in relation to the conflict in Gaza.

And, as has become something of a Beyond Borders tradition, Jeremy will once again join our popular poetry walk through the grounds of Traquair.

📅 29–30 August 2026
📍 Traquair House, Scottish Borders

🎟️ Tickets & full programme: https://bbintfest.com/booking-information/

26/08/2026

SPEAKER ANNOUNCMENT 🔇🔇

BBC’s Anita Anand will be joined by BBC Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet for a fascinating conversation about Afghanistan, journalism and the human stories behind the headlines.

Doucet will discuss her book, The Finest Hotel in Kabul, drawing on her decades of reporting from some of the world’s most challenging and dangerous places. She’ll be joined by Afghan Fellow Samina Ansari, author of When Almond Trees Bloom, who lived and worked in Kabul and was closely involved in efforts to promote inclusion in Afghanistan’s peace process.

Together, Anita, Lyse and Samina will look beyond the headlines to explore Afghanistan’s complex past, its present challenges and what the future might hold for its people.

With three remarkable women bringing very different perspectives, this promises to be an insightful and deeply human discussion.

📍 Traquair House, Scottish Borders
📅 29–30 August 2026

🎟️ Tickets & full programme: https://bbintfest.com/booking-information/

25/08/2026

📸 Meet Sir Don McCullin at Beyond Borders 2026

We’re delighted to welcome legendary photographer Sir Don McCullin to Beyond Borders for a very special conversation with veteran BBC broadcaster Jim Naughtie.

In A Life in Pictures, McCullin will reflect on an extraordinary 70-year career documenting war, conflict and humanitarian crises, From Vietnam and Northern Ireland to the Middle East and beyond, Don will reveal the stories behind some of his most iconic photographs.

Recently awarded the prestigious Companion of Honour by the King, McCullin is widely regarded as one of the greatest war photographers of all time. As he approaches his 91st birthday and prepares to step away from the darkroom, this is a rare opportunity to hear him reflect on a lifetime of bearing witness to history and the human cost of conflict.

📅 29–30 August 2026
📍 Traquair House, Scottish Borders

🎟️ Tickets: https://eastgatearts.com/whats-on/beyond-borders

21/08/2026

WOMEN FOR THE WORLD 🌍

This Sunday at Beyond Borders, join us for a powerful conversation with three extraordinary women working at the forefront of conflict response and resolution around the world.

Laura Elhayek, Clariss Rufaro Masiya and Catalina Gil Pinzon will discuss their work and the vital role women play in peacebuilding, in conversation with Humza Yousaf, former First Minister of Scotland.

The session will also highlight the new Women for the World project, supporting the 400+ alumnae of the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship across more than 40 countries.

The Women for the World project is funded by the Swedish People’s Postcode Lottery, whose support is helping to connect and strengthen a global network of women working for peace and conflict resolution.

📅 Sunday 30 August
⏰ 1:45–2:45pm
📍 Main Marquee, Traquair House

20/08/2026

Beyond the talks, debates, walks and performances, there’s plenty more to discover at this year’s Beyond Borders International Festival.

Our festival stalls bring together a brilliant mix of independent businesses and cultural organisations, giving you plenty of reasons to wander between events and explore what’s on offer.

We’ll be joined by a fantastic collection of stallholders and organisations, including Lynn Organics, ZarifAtToul-As Samer, Sara Keith Jewellery, Woodland Trust, Global Justice, Nourish by Nicola and Robert Smail’s Printing Works.

📚 Discover something new to read
🎨 Browse art, crafts and unique creations
☕ Stop for a coffee and a bite to eat
🥃 Meet local producers and discover something to take home

Whether you’re coming for a particular speaker or simply spending the weekend exploring Traquair, make sure you leave time to have a look around.

📍 Traquair House, Scottish Borders
📅 29–30 August 2026

17/08/2026

📚 William Dalrymple returns to Beyond Borders!

A bit of a Beyond Borders mainstay, we’re delighted to welcome back acclaimed Scottish-born historian and bestselling author William Dalrymple for another fascinating journey through history.

In ‘Discovery History with Willie Dalrymple’, William will give his own take on the history of Palestine, exploring its complex past and considering what might happen next.

One of Britain’s best-known historians, his acclaimed books on India, empire and history have earned him numerous awards, including the Wolfson Prize and Scottish Book of the Year.

He is also co-founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, the world’s largest writers’ festival.

Join Willie at Beyond Borders International Festival, Traquair House, 29–30 August for what promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of one of the world’s most contested histories.

16/08/2026

There’s something rather special about Beyond Borders International Festival at Traquair House.

From wandering through the gardens and discovering hidden corners of the estate, to settling in for a thought-provoking conversation, listening to live music or sharing a drink in the Walled Garden, the festival is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the programme.

📍 Traquair House, Scottish Borders
📅 29–30 August 2026

Full programme: https://bbintfest.com/

Address

Traquair House
Innerleithen
EH446PW

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 6pm
Thursday	9:30am - 6pm
Friday	9:30am - 6pm

Website

http://www.beyondbordersscotland.com/

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