WALKERS from across the Borders and beyond are heading to Galashiels this month for the town’s three-day walking festival.

And there will be plenty of routes on offer for the ramblers, with a total of nine walks, ranging from easy, moderate to strenuous/long.

Among the trips on offer between April 27 and 29, visitors can book themselves on a walk around Gala Policies and to the Roger Quinn Stone, venture down to Tweedbank and Abbotsford, trek around St Mary’s Loch, head up the Southern Upland Way from Traquair Kirk to Tibble Shiels, or visit Buckholm Tower and Dobie’s Grave.

Tracey Alder, one of the organisers of the Galashiels Walking Festival said: “The preparations for this year’s walking festival have been going very well.

“We will also be hosting and afternoon tea at the end of the event.”

Walkers are asked to arrive at the registration centre 30 minutes before they are scheduled to set off and to come equipped with suitable footwear, clothing and kit – this may include a fleece, waterproof jacket, walking boots, hat, gloves, bottle of water, high energy food, walking pole and sunglasses.

The walks cost between £2 to £10 and can be booked by visiting www.borderevents.com or by calling 01750 725480.