A CULTURAL festival staged in the Borders over the weekend has been hailed a resounding success.

Residents and visitors alike had the chance to explore the rich traditions of the region as 27 venues participated in this year’s Doors Open Days Festival.

Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest festival that provides access to some of the most interesting and historically significant buildings in the area whilst celebrating places and stories, new and old.

All the Borders venues participating offered a wide selection of events for visitors of all ages.

In Newstead, audiences enjoyed watching a Roman Ballista being fired at the site of Trimontium Roman Fort.

A guided walk in Stow also detailed the village’s long history whilst Heriot-Watt University provided an insight into their campus facilities and textile collection.

Workshops, delivered by Hawick Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and Build Your Future, gave visitors the chance to get involved themselves by trying traditional construction skills such as stone carving and slating in Hawick.

Kelso councillor Simon Mountford, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for estate management & planning, said: “It is fantastic to see that the Doors Open Days Festival had another strong year packed full of events.

“The festival really gave those taking part a chance to showcase just how vibrant and diverse the Scottish Borders is to new and local audiences.

“Thank you to all the venues, volunteers and those that came along for helping to make Doors Open Days 2023 such a success.”

Further information is available at: www.doorsopendays.org.uk