The Melrose Festival begins this weekend, in its traditional third week in June, from Sunday June 14 until Saturday June 20.

Instituted in 1936 to commemorate the town‘s history, the Melrose Festival will be led this year by the Melrosian Donald Crawford, who was unanimously appointed at the Ex-Melrosians’ Burns supper at The Greenyards in January.

The 22-year-old comes from an old Melrose family, and he follows in the footsteps of his father, Michael, the 1984 Melrosian. After schooling at St Mary’s and then Merchiston, Donald is now studying finance at Northumbria University. He is a keen horseman, and has played for Melrose XV.

Last month Donald was formally introduced to the people of Melrose, when he was carried three times round the Mercat Cross by his Right Hand Man, the 2014 Melrosian Fraser Anderson, and the 2012 Melrosian Graeme Crawford – who was standing in for Donald’s Left Hand Man Sam Thomson, while he trains with the British Army. Beforehand, he received his black, yellow and white rosette from Elaine Marjoribanks, wife of the festival chairman James.

On the same day, Friday May 1, Melrose’s Festival Queen Robyn Mackay and her Court were appointed. Robyn will be crowned at Melrose Abbey on Thursday June 18. Her First and Second Attendants are Maddie Thomson and Charli McGeever; First and Second Courtiers Ben Sloan and Oliver Ewing; Heralds Luke Blackwood and Andrej Berlansky; and Train Bearers Ella Moore and Maisie White.

This year’s Diamond Jubilee Queen is Rosemary Simpson, who was crowned in Melrose Abbey in 1955. Others celebrating are Jubilee Celebrants Virginia Foley and John T Bunyan, and Silver Jubilee Celebrants Sarah Hirstwood and Brian Jones.

Melrose Festival begins on Sunday June 14 with a wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial at 10.45am, followed by the Kirkin of the Melrosian in the Parish Church at 11am, and a five-a-side football match at Gibson Park at 1pm.On Monday June 15, the Melrosian’s Rideout gathers in the Primary School playground (not the triangle), before leaving the Greenyards at 6pm. The day’s concluding ceremonies take place in the Market Square at 9.30pm.

On Tuesday the Fancy Dress Parade assembles at 6.15pm in Gibson Park, with a disco afterwards. Then on Wednesday, the cycle ride leaves Gibson Park at 6.30pm, and arrives for a family BBQ at Annay Road at 8pm.

Thursday sees the Ceremonies start at 7pm, with the Installation of the Melrosian and Crowning of the Festival Queen in Melrose Abbey, or in Melrose Parish Church if wet. The next day, the Melrosian visits the BGH and schools from 10am to 3pm, followed by the Festival Ball at Annay Road Rugby Ground at 8pm.

The festival concludes on Saturday when the Tour of Ceremonies begins in the Market Square at 9am, with visits to Newstead, Gattonside, Abbotsford, Darnick Tower, and then Melrose Abbey at 12noon. The Sports Day starts in Gibson Park at 2.30pm, and Pipe Band music in the Market Square at 7pm, followed by the Melrose Festival Dinner in Melrose Rugby Club at 8pm.

The sun has been shining for Selkirk Common Riding today, the biggest and most important day of the year for the town.

The flute band got the day under way with the traditional Rouse Parade at 4am before the installation of Standard Bearer Scott Rodgerson.

He led the way on a glorious morning as more than 400 horses took part in the traditional rideout across the town’s historic boundaries in memory of the only soldier from Selkirk who returned alive from the 1513 Battle of Flodden.

After the cavalcade returned, Scott returned the royal burgh flag unsullied and untarnished as thousands crammed into the town centre for the casting of the colours ceremony.

BBC broadcaster and journalist was Andrew Marr was among the onlookers.

PICTURES BY STUART COBLEY

Standard Bearer Scott Rodgerson gets a rousing reception from the big crowd gathered in the market square for today’s casting of the colours ceremony at Selkirk Common Riding.

Scott returned the royal burgh flag unsullied and untarnished on a glorious sunny day in Selkirk.

NFU Scotland, in conjunction with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland, is hosting a farm visit in an effort to encourage farmers to take measures to prevent rural crime.

The organisations are keen to ensure that farmers have taken all reasonable steps to avoid being targeted by thieves, and to protect their property from fires and are committed to assisting in any way possible.

The event, taking place at Timpendean Farm, Jedburgh, on July 1 by permission of Gavin Millar, NFU Scotland’s branch chairman for Hawick and Jedburgh, will give farmers the chance to speak to the organisations.

There will also be fire safety and crime prevention demonstrations.

NFUS branch chairman Gavin Millar commented: “Rural communities are being targeted more and we need to take measures to guard ourselves against both opportunistic and organised gangs. It is not just the initial loss and anguish suffered but the longer term inconvenience and increased insurance premiums as a result.

“Fire can cause a significant amount of damage, and again we are noticing an increase in farm fires in this area. We need to take the relevant precautions to ensure farms are protected from fires where possible and work with the Scottish Fire and Rescue service to reduce the possibilities of this happening.

“This event will focus on these two issues, as well as wildlife crime, and will be a great opportunity for members to speak to the organisations involved and get advice.”

The event will take place on Wednesday, July 1, from 6pm to 8.30pm at Timpendean Farm, Jedburgh TD8 6SS. For more information on the event contact Scottish Borders Council Safer Communities Team 01835 823204 or safercommunities@scotborders.gov.uk or NFU Scotland’s regional manager Kerry Barr.

Meanwhile NFU Scotland has welcomed positive action by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) following the first working group meeting to look at agricultural crime prosecution policy.

The organisations agreed action points to take forward with the next meeting due to take place in August.

NFU Scotland’s legal and technical policy manager Gemma Thomson commented: “This initial meeting of the working group was extremely constructive and we welcome this positive action to review prosecution policy for agricultural crime.

“NFUS is currently investing a large amount of time in assisting its members who are affected by rural crime issues. This work includes working with Police Scotland at a local and national level, and this new working group with COPFS is welcome as it comes at a time when we are starting to see a real appreciation of the full effects of rural crime.”

Grey Matter expected to awaken on Saturday and find himself just a wee bit more grey. Another year had been added to his not-so-slender frame. It is a long time since the joyous cry went up: “21 today, 21 today”.

Nae, on June 6 it was only a slightly audible, a veritable whisper: “64 today”. And just once. But no, a glance in the bathroom mirror revealed that much was the same as when GM had retired to his slumber, six or seven hours earlier. Just to be certain the mirror was turned and a glance made into the side that magnifies. GM was still a contented soul, a happy chappie.

Truth be known, Grey Matter stopped counting a few years ago. Age is really just a number. A stepping stone on the path of life. Stones and a path that have only one certain ending. One day you’ll fall off.

But life is for living. This is not a dress rehearsal. Fail to embrace and enjoy it and you won’t get a second chance.

But let’s not be philosophical or even morbid. Birthdays have come and gone and, fingers crossed, they will come and go again.

I was a D-Day baby – not 1944 I hasten to add. But the arithmetical among you would have already worked that out.

One of my nieces living across the water in Dunoon imparted the news that she was having a baby and her due date was June 6. That gave me a buzz.

But babies, like women, can be fickle, and Orla decided to enter the world two weeks early. Mum, dad and baby are well, and that’s really all that matters.

I like Dunoon. In truth it has seen better days, but there is something about it that just makes you like it.

There’s the wonderful Cowal Games, just for starters. And some fantastic views and fine coffee houses. And it was in Dunoon that I bowed to temptation and submitted to the needle for my one-and-only tattoo. And, strangely, this came about at birthday time as well – my 59th.

The shop was a recent addition to the town and doubled as a ladies’ hairdressers. I popped in and told the tattoo merchant what I wanted – a quill, with an ink blob and the words ‘The pen is mighter than the sword’. He didn’t have one and promised if I returned the next day he would have found a suitable design.

And he was true to his word. I spent about 80 minutes in the chair before my left arm was covered in gell and wrapped in something akin to Clingfilm.

I haven’t done much at birthdays since, except a welcome surprise 60th organised by my son. Next up is 65 – and I have a hankering for riding the Braw Lads’ Gathering and one other festival for the first time. I’ll keep you posted.

A total of of 59 organisations in the TD5 Kelso postcode area are sharing almost £70,000 thanks to Charity Begins At Home (CBAH).

Representatives of the organisations, ranging from playgroups and pensioners clubs to horticultural societies and sports clubs gathered at theCross Keys Hotel in Kelso recently to receive a share of the £69,400 being distributed by Kelso’s local charity CBAH.

Since its inception 15 years ago, the CBAH shop in the town run by volunteers has distributed over £530,000.

Again this year, funding covered organisations and groups catering for all ages, including all seven schools in the Kelso catchment area.

Chair of the CBAH trustees, Margaret Riddell MBE, presided over the event and Lady Biddulph, patron of the charity, presented each of the organisations with their cheques.

Each of the organisations was asked to say how the money will be used and it was heart-warming to see the amount of hard work and volunteering as well as the sheer variety of things going on in the Kelso area.

A special thankyou was given to the volunteer workers who so willingly give up their time to run the CBAH shop in Kelso’s Bridge Street.

This year, as a cheque was presented to ‘Kelso Heartbeat’, an organisation set up to ensure the distribution and display of defibrillators in the town, Mrs Riddell asked everyone to raise a glass to toast the magical figure of £500,000 that had now been donated by the shop since its inception.

Mollie McIntosh MBE, a former Tweeddale citizen of the year and doyenne of the Walkerburn community, is recovering in the Borders General Hospital after sustaining a broken hip and wrist in a fall.

Miss McIntosh, 95, a lifetime supporter of the Conservative Party, tripped as she was leaving a social event, hosted by Tweeddale MP David Mundell, in West Linton.

A friend said of Miss McIntosh: “She is in some pain and discomfort but is showing typical fighting spirit.”

Miss McIntosh has volunteered for numerous organisations throughout her life.

New measures that will allow customers to cancel their broadband contract if speeds fall below an acceptable level and make it easier to change providers have been welcomed in the Borders.

Outlining the strengthened Code of Practice on broadband speeds, OFCOM has told broadband providers to provide better information so that customers can compare services, make it easier for them to switch their provider, improve their contract terms and handle complaints better.

Sarah Lee, head of policy for the Countryside Alliance, said: “This is very good news for rural people, many of whom pay for speeds they cannot receive because of a lack of infrastructure in their area.

“Broadband is no longer something that’s nice to have but a must have for everyone living in the UK, including those in the countryside. For too long rural homes and businesses have been in the slow lane of a two-speed digital economy.

“Being able to get out of contracts with companies that cannot provide a service and change providers to those who can, could prove very useful, as will better customer service and complaints handling.”

Borders MSP John Lamont said: “Borders residents who have to deal with slow internet speeds know just how important it is to have a fast internet connection.

“Whether it is for an individual or a business, having broadband is vital in this day and age, and it is no wonder many towns and villages in our region are calling out for better connectivity.”

“Scottish Conservatives want to set up a rural broadband fund open to individuals and businesses and double the amount of funding currently available.”

A charity shop in Galashiels is urging locals to clear their closets of unwanted clothes and donate them to help treat sick and injured pets.

PDSA’s charity shop on Channel Street is on the hunt for ladies, men’s and children’s clothing to sell in store to raise money for pets in need.

Shop manager Linzi Liddle said: “Charity shops are famous for their quality and bargain clothing and as a result, we sell hundreds of items every week.

“We rely on our supporters to help us replenish our stocks so we can continue to raise much-needed funds for sick and injured pets.”

The PDSA shop raises funds to provide DSA-funded veterinary treatment in the local area.

Tho local projects have 
benefited from the Landfill Communities Fund, administered by Scottish Borders Council, writes Andrew 
Keddie.

The trustees of Kirkhope Parish Hall in Ettrickbridge have received £16,265 to build a small extension and complete a wider programme of improvement works.

Described as “the social centre for the Lower Ettrick Valley”, the hall hosts an increasing number of community activities, including country dancing and indoor bowling.

Also successful in a bid for £28,850 from the fund is Rock UK Adventures Ltd – a charity which is creating a bike skills area and pump track at Whitehaugh Park in Newcastleton.

The project has already attracted sportscotland funding of £44,000.

The Scottish Borders Loan Fund, set up in 2012 to help small businesses, has been extended until October.

The fund, operated by Scottish Borders Council, was due to be wound up on March 31 and replaced by a Scotland-wide loan body.

But councillors heard this week that the Scottish Government had experienced difficulties with Euro funding for the initiative and its launch had been delayed

Since being set up, the local fund has provided interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to 12 applicants. To date, there have been no repayment defaults.

The fund currently has an available balance to disburse of £168,000.

The extended scheme will be promoted through the Business Gateway advisory service.

Tickets for the first trains to run on the new Borders Railway are available to buy online from today, but the correct prices have not been uploaded.

A single from Galashiels to Edinburgh is priced at £27.25 and a return at £31.80 on the ScotRail website.

But the prices quoted are an automated system error. A single is widely expected to cost closer to £10 when it is up and running properly.

A spokesperson for ScotRail said: “We’ve not yet uploaded the fares for the Borders Railway onto our website. We’ll bring this error to the attention of our colleagues at thetrainline.com”

Rail tickets can be made 12 weeks in advance of any planned journey, which means journeys for first Borders Railway trains to run for paying customers, on Sunday September 6, should be available to buy from first thing today.

However, Galashiels is the only new station on the website so far and journeys on Sunday September 6 cost the same as a trip to Edinburgh via Berwick by bus.

The website is selling single journey tickets from Galashiels to Edinburgh for £27.25. An offpeak return is quoted at £31.80 and an anytime return at £42.40.

One of the Borders’ most famous hotels has a new manager.

With 38 years’ experience in the industry, Margaret Livingstone-Evans has now taken on the role of general manager at Kelso’s Ednam House Hotel.

She was previously group refurbishment project manager for the Robert Parker Collection.

Mrs Livingstone-Evans will be responsible for both overseeing the continuing refurbishment of the hotel and its day-to-day management.

Since changing hands almost 18 months ago, Ednam House’s magnificent ballroom has been transformed and the bars, dining room and reception rooms have all been upgraded.

The next stage will be the transformation of the hotel’s 32 bedrooms. “My aim is for Ednam House to play a key role in the Kelso community and the Scottish Borders local tourism industry,” Mrs Livingstone-Evans told us.

As part of the Robert Parker Collection hotel group, Ednam House joins Doxford Hall, Eshott Hall, Guyzance Hall in Northumberland, Dalhousie Castle on the outskirts of Edinburgh and The Wordsworth Hotel in the Lake District.

The King’s Own Scottish Borderers Association held a short service at Norham to commemorate the death of Piper Daniel Laidlaw - ‘The Piper of Loos’.

This year will be the 100th anniversary of him receiving the Victoria Cross. He is the only VC holder buried in Northumberland.

Born in 1875 at Little Swinton, Daniel Laidlaw joined the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on April 11, 1896. He was immediately posted to India, where he stayed for two years until June 1898. Whilst there he was employed on plague duty in Bombay from March to May 1898.

After returning to Britain he was claimed out of the DLI by his eldest brother and served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers as a piper until April 1912, when he was placed on the reserve.

Upon the outbreak of war in Europe, Daniel Laidlaw re-enlisted in the KOSB on September 1, 1914, and went to France with the regiment the following June. In his own words he describes his action that resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross.

“On Saturday morning we got orders to raid the German trenches. At 6.30 the bugles sounded the advance and I got over the parapet with Lieutenant Young. I at once got the pipes going and the laddies gave a cheer as they started off for the enemy’s lines.

“As soon as they showed themselves over the trench top they began to fall fast, but they never wavered, but dashed straight on as I played the old air they all knew ‘Blue Bonnets over the Border’.

“I ran forward with them piping for all I knew, and just as we were getting near the German lines I was wounded by shrapnel in the left ankle and leg. I was too excited to feel the pain just then, but scrambled along as best I could.

“I changed my tune to ‘The Standard on the Braes o’Mar’, a grand tune for charging on. I kept on piping and piping and hobbling after the laddies until I could go no farther, and then seeing that the boys had won the position I began to get back as best I could to our own trenches.” (London Gazette, November 18, 1915).

Forestry Commission Scotland has appointed Sallie Bailey as forest district manager for the Dumfries and Borders region.

In her new role she will be in charge of the area’s National Forest Estate, ensuring that the forests and woodlands contribute towards the local and national economy.

Dr Bailey took up the role at the beginning of May and has been working with key stakeholders to develop the varied benefits that forestry can bring.

Welcoming her appointment, environment minister Aileen McLeod said: “Dumfries and Borders forest district is located in the most densely afforested area in Scotland. The forests and woodlands contribute greatly in terms of timber production, ecological and cultural value, renewable energy and, of course, recreation and tourism.

“The Scottish Government is striving hard to develop a fair and equal Scotland where women can play a significant contribution in every sector of industry. I am particularly pleased therefore that Sallie has been appointed to this role.”

Dr Bailey has been working within the Forestry Commission since 2002, previously providing policy advice and as a conservator covering the south of Scotland.

She added: “I look forward to leading the forest district in continuing to deliver a truly multi-purpose and sustainable forestry resource into the future.

“The area’s forests and woodlands are an amazing resource and loved by those who live in and visit the region. However, we do have challenges with the impacts of various tree diseases affecting the area.

“Part of my role will be ensuring our forests are resilient into the future and this will mean we will need to consider new approaches to forestry. Our team will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure forestry continues to play a valued role in Dumfries and Borders region.”

Before joining the Forestry Commission, Dr Bailey worked in northern California researching tropical rainforests and integration of agriculture and forests and other environments in North America. She has a PhD in Ancient Woodlands and land use change from Nottingham University (1998), and is a professional member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters.

There is now renewed confidence that construction work on the replacement Kelso High School will get the green light very shortly.

Speaking at this week’s Kelso Community Council meeting, the town’s three local Scottish Borders councillors – Alec Nicol, Tom Weatherston and Simon Mountford – told members that following a private briefing from local authority officials on the issue, they were confident progress would be seen soon.

It was earlier this year that the start of construction work on the town’s new £21.4million secondary at Angraflat Road had to be delayed after a European ruling that affected a number of new building projects across Scotland.

The law change affected schemes being processed under the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) scheme. These were previously being treated as private sector projects, but the European rule change means these must now be considered as public sector.

The Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Government have been working ever since to find a solution.

There has been growing frustration in Kelso over the delays to the project, which will see the existing 1930s high school replaced.

Mr Mountford commented: “We’ve been told that a public resolution of the situation is expected within the next few weeks, before the end of the summer term.

“The hope is that the work can begin on site over the summer, but I’d better emphasise the use of the word ‘hope’ as no firm dates have been given yet.”

Mr Nicol said Scottish Government officials were still trying to sort out what he called “grey areas”, but added: “Everybody from council staff to contractors are sitting ready to push the button as soon as this is sorted.”

And Mr Weatherston told The Southern yesterday: “After hearing the officer in charge of the project go through the detail of the high school paper at the executive meeting [SBC] and explaining how the government intends to move several projects in Scotland forward, including Kelso High School, I left the meeting confident we will see progress very soon.”

Young people from schools across the Borders are being encouraged to get musical when they return after the summer break.

The music service at Scottish Borders Council (SBC) offers pupils the chance to learn a variety of instruments and become part of a number of ensembles, including the junior string orchestra, junior wind band and the Borders Youth Orchestra.

Senior instructor Simon Johnson said: “Over the past 30 years these orchestras, bands and music ensembles have become a vital part of the musical landscape of the area, with generations of musicians and their parents able to look back on their involvement with pride and affection.

“The youngest of these musicians will often start off with the junior string orchestra or the junior wind band. Many will move on to the Borders Youth Orchestra, a full symphony orchestra currently under the baton of Derek Calder. Events they get to participate in include the concert that took place in November last year when the Borders Youth Orchestra, junior string orchestra and junior wind band performed a varied programme of pieces to a packed and appreciative audience.

“Also worth mentioning is Band Camp, where the Scottish Borders Chamber Orchestra, wind orchestra and= guitar ensemble meet up at the Broomlee Centre near West Linton. This year the groups presented their annual concert in Melrose Parish Church. They have also played at the Edinburgh Festival, Royal Highland Show and undertaken several foreign tours.”

The orchestras are funded by the council, but also receive financial support from Borders Young Musicians (BYM), a PTA formed back in 1986. As well as helping out at concerts, BYM holds an annual coffee morning and fundraiser. Money raised has helped to buy percussion instruments and music, fund advertising costs and transport and support foreign tours, as well as providing grants for individual pupils attending national music courses.

To find out how to get involved, contact Simon Johnson at: music@scotborders.gov.uk or on 01835 825097.

With the construction of the Borders Railway due to be completed next month, Network Rail and British Transport Police (BTP) have engaged with 26 primary schools throughout Midlothian and the Borders to help communicate the dangers of living near a railway as part of their Rail Safety Reps education programme.

The project, which works with teachers to organise fun and educational rail safety awareness activities, saw a poster competition take place in primary schools throughout both areas, while two were also honoured for their efforts for going above and beyond to educate pupils on living safely near a railway.

The winning poster designs came from Eilidh Taylor, P6, from Gorebridge Primary School, and Annabelle Lugton, P7, from Tweedbank Primary. Not only were their posters colourful, it was evident that a lot of time and effort also went in to promoting the rail safety message.

Meanwhile, Gorebridge and Stow primary schools were both highly commended for their efforts in communicating and engaging with pupils to communicate rail safety messages.

Both schools were rewarded with £250 cheques which will be put to great use.

Activities at the schools included a visit to Gorebridge Primary from Aileen Campbell, minister for young people, who launched the Scottish Youth Theatre’s drama safety workshop.

Stow Primary children have been enthusiastic supporters of the railway – there has been a school project entitled “Life on the Line” which examined the history of the railway, as well as a series of thought-provoking assemblies which helped pupils understand all the hard work invested in the project.

The Borders Railway Schools Safety Awareness activities will continue into August and September, with summer sports and Scottish Youth Theatre high schools workshops.

Katie Vollbracht, senior programme development manager for Network Rail, said: “The team were very impressed with the creativity and inspired poster designs from the pupils.”

Over 22,000 people flocked to this year’s Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival, held in Melrose over four days from Thursday to Sunday night.

It was a massive 31% increase on visitor numbers from last year and included 8,000 people who visited the festival’s new expanded site in The Orchard, located over the road from the main Harmony Garden site.

This new feature included food and drink stalls, café, bar and a new event venue and with nearly 100 events over four days it was the biggest festival so far.

In addition, there was a culinary theme to chime with the Year of Food and Drink in 2015 and to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, there was exclusive one-off performance featuring Rory Bremner, John Sessions, John Bird and Patricia Hodge.

This was the 12th book festival which has steadily grown to be a major feature of the Borders summer calendar of events and festival director, Alistair Moffat, was delighted: “We’re over the moon. Not only was our food & drink innovation, The Orchard, a resounding success, but we kept the magic in the main festival site, with even bigger audiences enjoying the superb speakers and events on offer.”

Among the other big draws this year were politicians Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond, broadcasters Peter Snow, Andrew Marr and James Naughtie, lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone, Terry Waite, Sir John Lister Kay, Jenny Colgan and Jonathan Miller to name just a few from the packed four-day programme.

English author John Spurling won the sixth £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction for his novel set in imperial China, The Ten Thousand Things.

The author was at the festival on Saturday night receive his prize from the Duke of Buccleuch.

OF ALL the claims you could ever made for book festivals, the best one is that they join up your thinking. By the time they finish, if you’ve gone to enough events, you can’t help but emerge – however briefly – a wee bit brainier than you were when you went in.

Take politics. At this year’s Borders Book Festival, you could have heard two of the biggest beasts in Scottish politics (Alex Salmond, Gordon Brown) and political journalism (Andrew Marr, Jim Naughtie). If you went to all of their events – as I did – unexpected links start to spark across your synapses. Your political understanding grows, deepens; you latch onto the details that count. You catch glimpses of what failure means, little insights into what to look out for in the future.

Of course, even the experts can get things wrong. According to Andrew Marr, David Cameron and his entourage (although not, apparently, the ultra-wily George Osborne) were, on general election day, convinced that they were going to lose: the 10pm exit poll produced a turnaround from quiet despair to jubilation such as he had never seen. For Alex Salmond, the switch of emotions on the day after the referendum went in precisely the opposite direction. To hear him talk in detail about the drama of that long night was to realise the suddenness and brutality of politics. But again, brutality can cut two ways, as Marr made plain when revealing how an uncomfortable interview with Salmond was followed by him being told (by an SNP spokesman) that it would have “consequences”.

On the last election, he admitted, political journalists had completely failed their public. Because they overestimated Ed Miliband’s chances of winning, he was interrogated less robustly than he should have been, and the photos used of him started to become more flattering. Because they underestimated David Cameron’s chances, he, too, wasn’t properly grilled, about precisely where those £12 billion spending cuts were going to fall. Only if he had listened to what people in the street were actually telling him – anecdotal evidence, which political journalists always distrust – would he have actually called the election right. And yet on that score, yet again, we can flick back to Salmond’s event and recall his own story of how Nicola Sturgeon phoned him on general election day. She was worried, he said, because when she cast her vote in Govan, two other voters she’d seen there hadn’t looked her in the eye. He was able to reassure her that wider political forces were at work: sometimes anecdotal observation counts for nothing at all.

A good book festival must be capable of producing such links, but it must also be a mix of the reliable and the unexpected. You’d rightly guess, for example, that Jim Naughtie was effortlessly eloquent, or Alexander McCall Smith was charming and witty, and John Lister-Kaye was entirely engrossing in talking about wildlife: they’re all practised, reliable, and they don’t disappoint. But would you have realised John Bercow, speaker of the House of Commons, was such a mimic (even Rory Bremner would be hard pushed to improve on his impression of Michael Howard and William Hague)? Would you have guessed that Alex Norton was such a risqué raconteur? Or would you ever have imagined you could be riveted (sorry) by a talk on shipbuilding production timetables?

To be fair, James Holland’s talk was about a lot more than that, even though the rate at which Americans could build Liberty ships did indeed play an important role in us winning the Second World War. I’d not heard Holland previously, so I was unprepared for how brilliantly he can expound a revisionist thesis – in this case, how the British have consistently downplayed the importance of our contribution to the Allied victory and exaggerated the power of the Nazi military machine, which was far less mechanised than we assume. Out of a slew of stats, this one has stuck: in the GreatWar, the German war machine relied on 1.5 million; in the Second World War, they relied on 3 million.

For the best unexpected story, though, you have to turn to the winner of this year’s Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction. Usually when literary prizes are awarded in the Spurling family, it’s Hilary who is called to the podium to receive the cheque, for one of her biographies. Her husband John, 79 next month, has written 29 plays that have been performed on the stage, TV or radio, as well as four novels. None of them have even been shortlisted for any award. Yet on Saturday, he won with The Ten Thousand Things, and spoke about it so self-deprecatingly and engagingly that I bought it immediately.

Thoughts successfully joined up, I did indeed drive home from Melrose a little bit brainier than I arrived. It won’t last, but the memories of another enjoyable book festival will. Soon the railway will come (well, to Tweedbank anyway) and, in the words of Rory Bremner, “Galashiels can arise and be a station again”. Maybe next year, the Borders Book Festival will be even bigger and better than it was this weekend. But right now, even my newly improved brain finds that hard to imagine.