SEVEN locations in the Borders will be taking part in Scottish Archaeology Month (SAM) next month.

For the whole of September the Borders will be one of many regions across Scotland taking part in SAM and sharing more about local heritage.

The month-long event will see activities take place at the Trimontium Musueum in Melrose, the Trimontium Roman fort site at Newstead, the Hike and Bike Hub and Old Gala House in Galashiels, the Mantle Walls in Ancrum, and the remains of St Ethelredas Chapel at Kirk Yetholm.

The theme of SAM this year is ‘Living Heritage’.

SAM, which is celebrating more than 25 years of success, aims to link the past, present and future to help people engage with their cultural heritage.

Susan O'Connor, head of grants at Historic Environment Scotland – which funds SAM – said: "SAM is Scotland's biggest celebration of heritage, history, and archaeology and we're very much looking forward to seeing this year's programme kick off.

"The range of events and activities means that there are lots of ways to engage with our heritage, making this an accessible initiative, and we're thrilled to have funded this project since it began over 20 years ago."

In the Borders, events will include:

  • Family activities – identifying animal footprints and mystery objects – at the Trimontium Museum, Melrose, September 1-30, 10am-4.30pm (included in museum entry)
  • Discover the Newstead Fort site – guided tours with volunteers and a working ballista display – at the Trimontium Fort site, Newstead, Saturday, September 2, 12-4pm (free)
  • Free entry to the Trimontium Museum – included exclusive access to the new library and Heritage and Landscape Observatory (HALO) – Sunday, September 3, 10am-4.30pm
  • Drones and archaeology – learn how overhead photos and videos of archaeological sites are taken and enjoy amazing examples of the Trimontium Fort site – at the Trimontium Mesuem, Saturday, September 9, 2-4.30pm (free with museum ticket)
  • What have we been doing? – learn about what work the Trimontium Trust has been doing – at the Trimontium Museum, Thursday, September 14, 7-9pm (free, donations welcome)
  • Sports heritage walk – a guided walk around historic sporting sites in Galashiels – meeting at the Hike and Bike Hub, Sunday, September 3, 1-4pm (free)
  • Sports heritage exhibition – discover the wealth of sporting history in Galashiels, from curling to rugby – at Old Gala House, September 20-23, 10am-4pm
  • Mantle Walls – excavation open day to see what has been uncovered of what's believed to be a medieval bishop's palace – at the Mantle Walls, Ancrum, Saturday, September 9, 10am-4pm (free)
  • St Ethelreda's Chapel – open day at excavation site searching for remains of medieval chapel – meet at Penine Way car park, Kirk Yetholm, Saturday, September 16, 11am-3.30pm (free)

For more information and to book on to events with the Trimontium Trust, visit: www.trimontium.co.uk/whats-on/events

Joining the guided walk in Galashiels is free, however, to book a place, and for more information on the sports heritage exhibition, contact: info@harparchaeology.co.uk

For more information about the Mantle Walls excavation open day, email: ian@harparchaeology.co.uk

And to find out more about the St Ethelreda's Chapel excavation, contact: nordlaw76@aol.com

For more information about SAM and to discover events happening across Scotland this September, visit: www.archaeologyscotland.org.uk/scottish-archaeology-month/