WHERE else would you find a former Middle East hostage, the creator of Reggie Perrin, a former First Minister of Scotland, a pioneering television comedian, one of the country’s most revered new writers, and the Speaker of the House of Commons all appearing within an hour or two of each other?

And you can’t forget a performance of Carmen by Scottish Opera, the remarkable author Prue Leith, and some foot-stomping with one-man-band Rory Mcleod.

Yip, you’ve guessed it... the Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival in Melrose.

For four days, from tomorrow (Thursday), worldy-wise wordsmiths will take to the stage to promote, recite and entertain in the various marquees and stages spread around the town.

Selecting some highlights is a bit like being allowed to take home half a dozen tomes from Sir Walter Scott’s vast library at Abbotsford - and you’ve only got half an hour to choose.

Thursday’s warm-up evening has plenty to whet the appetite for what is to come.

Peter Snow has as much authority as anyone to deliver the story of the Battle of Waterloo. His oration of events on the modern-day Belgian battlefield will allow a side-saddle seat beside the Duke of Wellington. As we approach the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s downfall, this one shouldn’t be missed (6pm in The Times Marquee).

With an eye for the past, albeit slightly closer to home, is our very own Walter Elliot. As the former dray-stane dyker will tell you, you don’t have to go too far for a good battle (6pm in the Lochcarron Marquee).

One of the best-known business brains, and perhaps cleavages, in Scotland is entrepreneur Michelle Mone. From the mean streets of Glasgow Ms Mone created a $50 million dollar business with her Ultimo underwear empire (7.30pm in The Times Marquee).

Historical novelist Rosemary Goring launches her follow-up to After Flodden, the brilliant Dacre’s War (7.30pm in the Lochcarron Marquee).

And headlining the opening evening is the man most of us spend a Sunday morning with - Andrew Marr.

The broadcaster and journalist will give his insights into politics, his passion for books and his recent stroke (9pm in the The Times Marquee).

Throughout the festival there are workshops and competitions for budding writers.

And there’s a healthy serving of musical talent on the Scottish Opera trailer and in the Eat Your Words Marquee.

Friday’s line-up is a who’s who from the book charts.

Terry Waite survived four years as a captive in Lebanon before embarking on a career of writing and promoting human rights.

His latest offering, The Voyage of the Golden Handshake, is amusing and, at times, hilarious (6.15pm in the Harmony Maquee).

Alex Salmond may have failed to take Scotland to independence but the former First Minister and recently elected MP has succeeded in producing a best-seller.

The outspoken and often controversial politician arrives in Melrose with The Dream Shall Never Die beneath his arm (7.30pm in the Time Marquee).

Prue Leith is undoubtedly the housewife’s choice when it comes to the perfect novel. The veteran writer has never lost her wit or sparkle and will undoubtedly bring Friday evening to a thrilling close (in the Harmony marquee from 9.15pm).

There’s prize-giving, music, chat and tea throughout Saturday afternoon in the idyllic festival grounds.

John Bird and Rory Bremner will serve up their satire, foodwriter Sue Lawrence will divulge some culinary delights and former PM Gordon Brown will talk to the surgeon who saved his eye-sight, Dr Hector Chawala.

The former Labour leader is back in the evening to discuss his best-selling My Scotland, Our Britain (in the Times Marquee at 6.30pm).

The delightful Alexander McCall Smith is heading down the A68 to enchant everyone with tales from his three new novels for 2015 (8pm in the The Times Marquee).

And bringing the curtain down on Saturday is the ageless actress Patricia Hodge, who will reveal all in a discussion with Rory Bremner (in The Times Marquee at 9.30pm).

Jazz provides the soundtrack for Sunday afternoon as well as a further sprinkling of opera.

For listeners of Radio 4, James Naughtie’s appearance will be unmissable.

The Today presenter will give his own verdict on the 2015 General Election (in the Times Marquee at 2pm).

Just as popular and every bit as funny is the Hamish McBeth creator MC Beaton (in the Harmony Marquee at 4.45pm).

And pulling into the Festival station will be two champions of the Borders Railway, council leader David Parker and author David Spavin (in the Harmony marquee at 6.15pm).

Paisley’s most popular pensmith Christopher Brookmyre will bring his dark satire and comic timing as the sun begins to set on Sunday (in the Harmony Marquee at 7.45pm).

And, as has become tradition in Melrose, the third funniest man from Jedburgh, Rory Bremner, will close the show with his side-splitting take on our politicians (in The Times Marquee at 8pm).

For the full programme of the 2015 Borders Book Festival log onto www.bordersbookfestival.org. The ticket box office is on 0844 357 1060.