ScottFest 2022, a fun family festival inspired by the life and works of legendary author Sir Walter Scott took place in the Borders sunshine at Abbotsford House over last weekend.

The festival celebrated Sir Walter’s birthday and this year’s event also marked the 200th anniversary of his very own grand festival when 300,000 people lined the streets for the visit of King George IV to Edinburgh on 15th August 1822.

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This was the first time a British monarch had been on Scottish soil since 1650.

Visitors to Sir Walter’s home experienced spectacular jousting tournaments, watched the Dandie Dinmont Terriers race for victory, held birds of prey and watched them fly in an amazing display and explored living history.

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There was archery displays, a full programme of live music and dance, and plenty for children such as craft activities and face painting while the local craft and market stalls also proved popular.

And there was also an incredible gunpowder finale at the end of each day.

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Tickets included free entry to Scott’s historic home and gardens.

Sir Walter Scott is the most influential historical novelist in our history and his best-selling works, from Ivanhoe to Waverley, brought 600 years of history to life.

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Scott believed that collecting and displaying historical items could help us imagine past lives, and this passion was essential to his inspiration and success as a writer.

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He was a champion and early pioneer of ‘living history’ as we understand it today and ScottFest celebrated his legacy by bringing history to life at Abbotsford.