THE Scottish Borders is well known for talented poets.

And this year a celebration is in order.

Will Ogilvie was one of the finest poets the Borders has ever produced.

The Will. H. Ogilvie Trust are arranging special events across the Borders to celebrate his 150th anniversary.

Although his legacy may not be as well known as Sir Walter Scott or James Hogg, his work is very highly regarded.

And the trust hopes that the anniversary celebrations will encourage more people to engage with the poet’s work.

A spokesperson said: “The projects planned to mark the anniversary will hopefully boost the local economy by bringing Ogilvie’s poetic descriptions of the beautiful and varied landscape to the notice of a wider public by attracting many to visit what is still a relatively undiscovered part of Scotland: The Borderland.”

Entertainment evenings coined ‘A Night WI’ Will’ are being held over the coming months.

Similar to a Burns supper, the evenings are a chance to experience the delights of Ogilvie’s life and work while tucking into a three-course dinner.

Due to overwhelming interest the first night in Ettrickbridge has already sold out.

However, together with the Hawick Archaeological Society, Hawick Rugby Club will hold an evening on April 26.

Further nights are planned in Gilknockie on September 6, and in Langholm on October 26. Dinners in Duns and Kelso are also being planned.

The Kelso Laddie will unveil the Will H Ogilvie Way street sign before he sets off for Hawick’s Mosspaul rideout on May 26.

On Friday July 19, a new memorial stone at Holefield, the poet’s birthplace will be unveiled, again by the Kelso Laddie. The next day, after returning from the Yetholm rideout, the Laddie will lay a commemorative ribbon at the new street sign and an Ogilvie poem will be recited in the Square.

A reproduction of Ogilvie’s epic ballad “Whaup o’ the Rede”, with several illustrations by royal academician Tom Scott, is being sold by the trust. Limited numbers of the original book are being reprinted but due to funding, a copy will be distributed to Border libraries and schools. Individual copies can be purchased for £25 on a subscription basis.

The highlight of the year will be the anniversary weekend starting August 16.

Friday will see the grand opening of the W.H. Ogilvie exhibition at Hawick’s heritage hub. And the launch of the reprinting of Ogilvie’s ballad ‘Whaup of The Rede’. This will be followed by a special performance of Well Road Production’s ‘Will’ in the Heart of Hawick.

Ex-Langholm Cornet Billy Young will unveil the new Cairn at the top of Harden Glen on Saturday at 2pm. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with a church service at Ashkirk Kirk, Ogilvie’s burial place.

For more information about any of the events contact: Ann Holt 01461 203505 or Ian W. Landles 01450 375546.