LAST week saw another very successful visit to Selkirk by a group of 16 friends from Bavaria. Members and guests of STEPS, the town-twinning group who oversee and nurture the partnership between Selkirk and Plattling, enjoyed five days of sight-seeing, activities, music, and camaraderie.

Their busy schedule included: the Royal Yacht, Brittania; a tour of the Scottish Parliament (courtesy of South of Scotland MSP Jim Hume); Glenkinchie Distillery; a come and try session with the Ettrick Forest Archers; East Fortune Museum of Flight; Dirleton Castle; a thrilling ride to the Bass Rock in a Rib Boat; a day in Edinburgh; and a tour of the Borders, taking in Abbotsford and Jedburgh. Some members of the group rounded off their Borders tour with a walk round the Haining Loch, and each commented on how peaceful and beautiful it is. Each item on the itinerary was uniquely special, but perhaps the Edinburgh Military Tattoo was the highlight, with Peter Lochmahr, a 'tattoo veteran’, declaring it to be the 'best yet’.

Of course, there was the customary 'Scots/Bavarian Music Night’ at the Heatherlie House Hotel on the Friday evening, when old friendships were renewed and new friendships made. Music continues to be one of the principal links between the towns, helping to form an ever-increasing cultural bond, and we look forward to welcoming the popular band, 'Friends’ back to Selkirk next July.

Also, there will be a contingent from Selkirk at next year’s Pfingstfest, a music festival held in June at Moos, near Plattling.

The STEPS group are excellent hosts when Selkirk folk visit Plattling, and it is always a great pleasure to welcome them, and other Bavarian visitors here. This trip was blessed with fine weather and the Plattling Association here in Selkirk would like to thank all those who helped in its success, and in particular Sharon and Simon who always give their guests such a warm welcome to their hotel.

It is always the mark of a successful and enjoyable trip when our friends are sad to leave, and, of course, we were sad to see them go. With the plans set in motion to re-unite soon, the partnership is stronger than ever.

After a stop-off at Linlithgow Palace, the group flew home to Bavaria for a well-deserved rest.