RAMBLERS heading to Hawick this autumn for the Borders Walking Festival are being warned to pick up the pace.

Of the 26 planned hikes in and around the town, eight have already sold out.

And many more are are quickly approaching capacity.

The festival takes place this year from Sunday, September 2 to Saturday, September 8.

Scottish Borders Councillor Tom Miers said: “The popularity of the Scottish Borders Walking Festival continues in its 24th year, with almost a third of the walks already sold out.

“It is a fantastic event which sees a different Borders town host a week of walks every September, allowing ramblers from across the United Kingdom to enjoy the Borders’ landscape every year.

“There are walks for all abilities, ranging from 1.5 miles to 14.5 miles in distance.

“Despite a number of walks being fully booked, there is still a wide variety of routes on offer which take in attractions such as a former World War I camp, the historic Common Riding, a walk along the Scottish-English border, remote communities and Hawick itself.”

Among the walks which have yet to sell-out is a ramble to Stobs Camp, which was home to up to 4,500 German prisoners of World War I during the conflict and is now the site of a major archaeology project .

Another planned hike will visit the site of Hawick’s famous Hornshole battle of 1514, which also takes in the historic Cavers estate to the summit of Ruberslaw for a fantastic view across the Borders.

Walkers can also take part in the 13 mile return route of the Mosspaul Rideout, an integral part of the Hawick Common Riding.

And there is a chance to see more of the Borders with a Morebattle to Kirk Yetholm route which includes some of the Pennine Way, while there is a 12 mile circular walk which visits the remote hamlet of Craik and the Borthwick Water.

There are also organised hikes which take in Blackburn Falls, Fatlips Castle, the new Borders Distillery and a visit to Borders Art Glass at Galalaw.

To book a place on one of the walks visit www.borderswalking.com