ORGANISERS of the forthcoming Scottish Borders Walking Festival are hailing the volunteers who have helped pull the packed programme of events together.

Since the end of last year a small army of locals from Selkirk and the surrounding valleys have been mapping, plotting and organising.

And they have been rewarded with a festival of walks and social events which are selling out fast.

Sue Briggs, chair of the 2019 Festival team, told us: “It’s been amazing.

"People say they couldn’t run a festival without volunteers and in our case it’s 100 percent true.

"There are only four of us on the Festival team and the local community has really risen to the occasion and given us a huge amount of support."

As well as leading the 35 planned walks, volunteers will also drive visitors to the drop-off points.

Many other volunteers are also organising the social events which will be held throughout the week-long festival.

And they will also be manning a pop-up cafe in the Victoria Halls to provide a warm welcome for the walkers.

Among the many special offers of help which are being made, are the young people of Rowland's who are serving up “Hot and Tasty Comfort Food” every weekday evening from 5pm to 7pm during the festival.

InChorus community choir from Peebles will provide a “singing send-off” on the opening day - Saturday, September 6.

Craigdon Mountain Sports are providing a boot clinic in the Victoria Halls on the opening weekend, and local choir Safety in Numbers are hosting a musical stroll around the Haining on the Sunday.

Selkirk Community Shed are busily creating wooden walking figures for the entrances to the town.

And many businesses have also offered support with raffle prizes.

Sue added: "The Scottish Borders Walking Festival is very much a joint effort between the Festival team and the people of Selkirk and the Yarrow and Ettrick Valleys."

The Scottish Borders Walking Festival takes place in Selkirk and the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys from Saturday, September 7 to Saturday, September 14.

Late availability tickets can be purchased from www.borderswalking.com