And for a week or two they will turn back time to serve up this year’s Border Heritage Festival.

The 2014 theme is Our Dynamic Border and focuses on the local heritage that tells the story of the defence of the Scottish Borders and the movement of its peoples to and from England.

It will provide an interesting mix of exhibitions that demonstrate the movement of Scots as a result of the First World War, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the start of the war.

Other exhibitions show the reach of Scottish heritage through the textile industry and artworks that illustrate where our small borders have stretched across the world.

Also on offer is an illustrated presentation at Old Melrose, St Cuthbert’s first monastic home, a talk on the influence of Flodden on the people of the Borders and the opportunity to spend the day with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (Scotland) carrying out repairs to both Hobkirk Parish Church and Souden Kirk.

Dr Chris Bowles, Scottish Borders Council’s archaeologist, told the Border Telegraph: “Each Heritage Festival has a given theme and this year it was decided to showcase the varied and unique heritage that we are privileged to have here in the Borders.

“From hill forts to castles, and abbeys to weaving mills, the Festival is an opportunity to celebrate our shared and unique past and I would encourage local residents and visitors alike to take advantage of the impressive range of experiences that are being provided.” Guided tours are being organised around historic Kelso as well as Roxburgh Castle and Abbotsford House.

For the more energetic, a series of walks along the Berwickshire Coastal Path have been planned, giving walkers the opportunity to experience the stunning east coast scenery to be found between Berwick, Burnmouth, St Abbs, Dowlaw and Cockburnspath.

And the historical links between Scotland and England will be highlighted on St Cuthbert’s Day when beacons will be lit on Inner Farne and St Abb’s Head.

National Trust for Scotland archaeologist, Dr Daniel Rhodes will lead a walk on Lindisfarne to view both beacons.

Here’s a few highlights from this year’s Border Heritage Festival...

Saturday and Sunday, August 30 & 31 - Hobkirk Parish and Souden kirks.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (Scotland), with support from Historic Scotland, is holding a practical conservation day. It involves a group of volunteers carrying out repairs to the church building, and some maintenance at Souden Kirk (a ruin).

Tuesday, September 2 - Thistle Clubrooms, Jedburgh (9.45am to 12.45pm) Linking Scottish Borders Walking Festival to Borders Heritage Festival, one of the council rangers and the archaeology officer will lead an archaeology walk into the ancient village of Ancrum. A wealth of human history lies hidden and open to view in this site including the 'Little Lovely’.

You will be driven to the walk start by bus from the walking festival’s registration centre in the Thistle Club Rooms; distance 5 miles/8km, relatively flat, cost £4.

Wednesday, September 3 - Old Melrose. A medieval monastery and it environs (7.30pm at the Red Lion Hotel, Earlston) Local group 'The Friends of Thomas the Rhymer’, based in Earlston, are hosting this presentation by Dr Margaret Collin (Melrose Historical and Archaeological Association). This illustrated presentation will rediscover and re-interpret St. Cuthbert’s first monastic home.

Thursday, September 4 - Fire of the North (at dusk, 8.30 to 9pm, at various locations) On St Cuthbert’s Day beacons will be lit on Inner Farne and St Abb’s Head. National Trust rangers will repeat the beacon from last year near the lighthouse on Inner Farne and the St Abb’s Head beacon will be on a hill close to St Abb’s Head lighthouse, with a linked walk from Kirk Hill to the site led by Dr Daniel Rhodes, National Trust for Scotland archaeologist (meet at foot of Kirk Hill at 7.30pm).

Friday, September 5 to 19 - The Life of the Borderers over the Centuries (Coldstream Library) Pop into Coldstream Library to see a wee display about Borders over the generations in books and maps.

Saturday and Sunday, September 6 & 7 - Bygone Borderlands (10am to 4pm at The Haining, Selkirk) A fair based in the house and grounds of the elegantly situated Haining Estate in Selkirk – learn about the influence of Flodden on the people of the Borders through displays, stands and talks.

Dr Chris Bowles, Scottish Borders Council Archaeologist will be giving a talk at 10.30am on Sunday. The Selkirk Pipe Band will be there to set the battle atmosphere!

Saturday, September 6 - Doors Open Day in Kelso Free access to buildings for one day of the year only! This event is run across the whole of Scotland during September. This year it is Kelso’s turn to throw her doors open; buildings that you can visit for free include Kelso Racecourse’s Grandstand, the Fire Station, the derelict Trinity Church and the grand Ednam House Hotel who are hosting an historic tour. Kelso is no stranger to the repercussions of a dynamic border.

Saturday and Sunday, September 6 & 7 - Walk around historic Kelso (1pm at Town Hall) Local Historian Christine Henderson will talk on the history of the town and point out places of interest on the way. This walk is part of the St James Fair Weekend and Doors Open Day in Kelso on the Saturday. Christine will point out the town centre Doors Open venues on her walk - offered by Kelso Connections and Friends of Kelso Museum.

From Saturday, September 6 - Trimontium (10.30am to 4.30pm at The Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre, Melrose.) Tells the story of the 370 acres Roman capital of South Scotland at the village of Newstead in the lee of the three Eildon Hills.

The site included a fort, four settlements, an amphitheatre, field system and a bridge over the Tweed. Exhibits include a 2nd century silver denarii hoard from Synton, near Ashkirk and the 5’5’’ steering oar/rudder from a flat-bottomed Roman River Tweed barge.

Tuesday, September 9 - Researching the Borders Experience (7pm at Galashiels Library) Join staff from the Heritage Hub and SBLibraries to find out how Census Records, websites (including ancestry.com), War Memorials and other resources can help you uncover your family and social history. An illustrated talk about how to discover the family and social history of the Scottish Borders during World War One. (Also at Peebles Library on Wednesday at 2.30pm.)