Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to make this year's event a resounding success.

I hope all our visitors enjoyed the weekend and will come again next year.

In the meantime,  why not visit Selkirk another time and see what we all have to offer!

Next year,  we will attempt to have the programme printed a little earlier,  but the reason for the last minute publication is to try to limit the mistakes which would appear because of the inevitable last minute unavoidable changes in times, locations, and even performers.

Click HERE  

To download a pdf of this year's programme.

Scott's Selkirk 2007 planning is well and truly underway.  The dates this year are Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December.

Many thanks to everyone who helped at the coffee morning this Saturday. 

Tickets  for the Friday Night Ceilidh,  and Saturday Night Concert are now on sale at The Southern Reporter office.

• The weekend will again commence on the Friday evening with the very popular Ceilidh in the Victora Hall - dancing to the music of Neil Hardie and his ceilidh band.
• As an alternative,  there will be a Ghost Walk available - details to follow - our thanks to the Museum Services
• The line up for the Saturday night concert is almost complete - full details shortly.
• On the Saturday and Sunday there will many well loved faces from past years performing on the streets, in Meg Dodds' Kitchen,  and Walter Scott's Courthouse.
• There will again be marvellous literary events in the County Hotel, and outside in the County Pend, a flavour of the continent in our "Ostend and Beyond" bustling market. As you enter through into the pend you will transported to the Port of Leith - there will be stalls and entertainment with a nautical and continental flavour - from the fabulous Podlies singing their sea shanties to clog dancing,  pirate antics and much more.
• There will be market stalls, torchlight procession, flower festival at the Parish Church, the ever popular French Prisoners, and  the terrific Saturday Night Concert.
• Sunday morning is celebrated as usual by local church services, and of course The Ba' Game will be on the at Bog Park.
• And, (weather permitting).  the weekend will finish off with the wonderful Belmont Fireworks Display.

Many thanks to everyone who helped in so many ways this year

Following a very successful Friday Night Ceilidh all went as planned on Saturday, with all performances being well attended and supported.

The day was rounded off by a grand concert in the Victoria Hall - many thanks to all the great performers - which culminated in dancing to the wonderful Borders Boogie Band.

Despite the truly atrocious weather on the Sunday the event went ahead (not quite as planned!) with stalls being relocated indoors to the warmth in Meg Dods' Kitchen, The Scott's Selkirk Shop,  Selkirk Parish Church Hall, "The Saddlers",  and The Masonic Lodge. 
The atmosphere in these locations was remarkable.  Our thanks must go to all who helped with the considerable work involved in physically moving all the stalls, the Venues which found themselves full of stalls, and to the stallholders whose good natured acceptance of the change of venues went such along way to making it a very enjoyable day!

Sadly the Carriage Rides, Fireworks and Ba' Game had to be abandoned to everyone's disappointment, but they will be back next year as good as new!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas,  and Happy New Year, 
and we look forward to welcoming you all back next year to Scott's Selkirk 2007!

Eleanor McCudden,  Mistress of Scott's Selkirk

and all the Committee

All photographs ©2006 Gordon Lockie

Scott's Selkirk 2006

Saturday and Sunday  2nd and 3rd December 2006

Scott’s Selkirk was a Millennium project that proved so popular it has become an established part of the Selkirk calendar.  

For the first weekend in December, the whole town centre reverts to the 19^th century days of Sir Walter Scott,  with most shopkeepers dressing themselves and their windows appropriately,  creating a magical Christmas atmosphere. 

The Court House is used to re-enact court cases which were heard by Sir Walter when he was sheriff. There are authentic Market Stalls in the town centre, and there is a variety of street entertainment, including the town’s three bands,  wandering minstrels, and theatre productions. There is input from Borders Youth Theatre,  and the Traditional Music School (which is based at the High School) The Selkirk Film Club screens a suitable title,  and the Camera Club puts on an exhibition. There is a Food Court, carol singing, horse-drawn carriage and Sedan Chair rides,  tours of the town,  children’s Carousel and much more.

The Saturday afternoon is rounded off with a torchlight procession, and a historical re-enactment of the False Alarm of 1804.  Even the Sunday morning church service is conducted in  costume and in keeping with the period.

The event’s finale is a superb firework display – always much enjoyed.

Admission to all events is free,  with donations being made at all the venues

Local shops and businesses sponsor the event.  Town organisations such as the Merchant Company,  the Hammermen,  and the Rugby Club are also involved as stewards and general helpers.

Costumes are on hire to visitors at a nominal charge. There is a Friday night ceilidh,  a Torchlight Procession – The False Alarm - followed by a grand concert, and on Sunday morning the church service is followed by a re-enactment of the 1815 Carterhaugh Ba’Game which was attended by both Sir Walter and James Hogg. There are also a Poetry Corner,  Age of Chivalry experience,  and Pirate Treasure Trail and dedicated area for old fashioned games for children.

If you have ever longed for the kind of old fashioned Christmas atmosphere shown on Christmas cards, then get yourself along to Selkirk as it steps back in time and enjoy the magical atmosphere and excellent entertainment and shopping on offer.

Organisation and Planning for Scott's Selkirk 2006 has got underway!

Following a well-attended AGM the committee for this year is as follows:

Eleanor McCudden     Chair        

Viv Ross    Vice-chair                            Graham Easton      Secretary

Committee members:   Edith Scott,  Sheena Galloway,  Judy Steel,  Rev Jim Campbell,  Morris Manson,  Graham Pitman,  Eileen Easton, Margaret Dundas,  Elaine Dunipace,  Alison Cullen,  Will Haegeland

We are delighted to welcome so many new committee members,  and are looking forward to the next few months

Watch here for updates on progress

Many many thanks to everyone who helped in any way towards such a successful event.

The committee is thrilled with the way it went and with the feedback received.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

 

Sir Walter Scott and Mungo Park, by courtesy of John Robertson

 

SCOTT’S SELKIRK PRESS RELEASE:

TODAY’S SHERIFF OF SELKIRK TAKES ON ROLE

AS HIS PREDECESSOR 
SIR WALTER SCOTT

“Walter Scott” takes his seat on the bench in his historic courtroom again at this year’s Scott’s Selkirk (3/4 December) to hear the case against  the Sabbath Breakers and the dispute between the Minister of Ettrick and his Kirk Session over the siting of the new manse.  And the actor taking on his part will feel decidedly comfortable – for this year the great writer and local sheriff will be played by none other than his present day successor in office – Sheriff Kevin Drummond.

Sheriff Drummond says:

“I was happy to accept the invitations to participate, as the links between Selkirk and one of the world’s leading figures of literature is reinforced by Sir Walter Scott being depicted by his successor in office as Sheriff.”

The court cases are written and directed every year by Selkirk writer John Nichol, using authentic source material. All the parts – lawyers, court officials, accused and  witnesses are played by local people. Taking place in the courtroom in Selkirk where Scott himself presided, they have proved the most popular element of this highly successful Georgian pre-Christmas Fair. There will be four performances on each day and tickets will be on sale on the day of the performances only.

This year the Court Cases are being sponsored by the Faculty of Advocates, the professional body which Walter Scott served as Clerk in  addition to his “day job” as Sheriff of Selkirk – and, of course, in between writing all  those novels.

 “Sir Walter” will be sharing his courtroom over the weekend with his friend Mungo Park (played by John Nichol) who will be telling of his hopes for his new African expedition, due to take place in 1805-6.  On both days there will be a lunchtime talk, introduced by Alistair Moffat. On Saturday,  novelist Allan Massie will speak about his fictional autobiography of Walter Scott, The Ragged Lion; while on Sunday 

Tom Freemantle describes his journey in the Steps of Mungo Park: The Road to Timbuktu.  On each day the programme in the courtroom will conclude with a chilling telling of ghost stories by Selkirk writer Julian Colton.

The photograph shows Kevin Drummond as Walter Scott and John Nichol as Mungo Park, in Walter Scott’s Courtroom.  A timetable for 3-4^th December follows.

                      
            11.00   Meet Mungo Park

            11.30      Court Case: The Sabbath Breakers

            12.30      Court Case: the New Manse

            13,15   Lunchtime Talk:

            Allan Massie on Walter Scott: The RaggedLion (Sat)

Tom Freemantle: The Road to Timbuktu (Sun)

14.15      Court Case: The Sabbath Breakers       

15.15      Court Case: The New Manse 

16.00       Ghost Stories: Julian Colton

  

Sir Walter and Mungo Park, courtesy of The Southern Reporter

The court cases at Scott’s Selkirk are sponsored this year by the Faculty of Advocates.