AT the invitation of Souter Stormers and in partnership with the YES Festival, Jackie Kay, Scotland’s national poet was a recent visitor to Selkirk.

Jackie’s performance at Bowhill Theatre on the Sunday evening was a sell-out.

Scotlan'd Makar does not just recite poetry, she is an accomplished entertainer and performer.

And the audience found themselves between times of tears and times of uproarious laughter, such is the range of her poetry.

Jackie extended her stay to do something quite different.

When she became Makar in 2016, she expressed the desire to bring poetry to people in unusual places, and in particular to those who do not normally ‘do’ poetry. And that is exactly what she did.

On Tuesday she performed four mini-readings, in the Selkirk Deli, the Forest Bookstore, Lochcarron restaurant and Belmont Motors showroom.

Kay Ross from the Souter Stormers told us: "The response of the audiences in each place was both welcoming and warm.

"If you haven’t heard Jackie Kay recite her poetry, or if you haven’t read any of her books, then perhaps now is the time to do so.

"She well and truly deserves the honour of her appointment as Makar."