The Walled Garden Arts & Music Programme features a host of music, film, performances, visual arts exhibitions, workshops, food & drink, and walks and cycle rides in the beautiful surroundings of Traquair House’s Walled Garden.

Saturday 24^th August

9:00-9:45 Meditation – Raj Rai
Start the festival with a meditation practice led by Rajesh Rai, meditation expert and human rights barrister. Explore techniques such as relaxation, breath awareness, focus and concentration through the Royal Path.

10:00-10:50 Yoga – Susan Neal
Unwind and find your balance with Susan Neal as she leads a morning yoga session in Traquair House’s beautiful Walled Garden.

10:00-11:00 Tales of Selkies and Kelpies
Join local Storyteller Mary Kenny on a morning stroll through the beautiful woods of Traquair. Along the way, hear Tales of Selkies and Kelpies, the mysterious dwellers of the watery kingdom that cross the elemental borderlands.

12:00-12:45 Tenx9 curated storytelling
Listen to inspiring stories told by women from our Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme from the Middle East and South Asia in an event curated by Tenx9.

12:30-13:00 Why Vegan? Why Not?
Veganism is on the rise in Scotland with plant-based options becoming ever more available to enjoy. Join the author of The Scottish Vegan Cookbook to hear about how and why to add more fruits, vegetables and grains to your diet while improving your health and making the most of Scotland’s abundant larder. 

13:00-13:45 Film Screening: Just A Number

14:10-14:45 Music from Emmanuel Smith-Tali
Enjoy your lunch while Emmanuel Smith-Tali entertains and delights with a specially selected mix spontaneous of spontaneous songs and original music.

15:00-15:30 Tenx9 storytelling from our Women in Conflict Fellows
Listen to inspiring stories told by women from our Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme from the Middle East and South Asia in an event curated by Tenx9.

15:30-16:15 Painters & Poets  – Sheila Mullen
Andrew Brown introduces Sheila Mullen whose fascination with border ballads and contemporary poetry inspires her evocative expressive paintings. She is accompanied by readings of their poems by Aonghas MacNeacail and Katy Ewing and Gerda Stevenson reads from her most recent book Inside & Out: The art of Christian Small

15:45-16:15 Gin Tasting – Selkirk Distillers

17:00-17:45 Nigel Osborne: Music & Migration
World-renowned composer Nigel Osborne gives a talk about music and migration, accompanied by the Syrian Oud, cello, gongs, and violin.

18:10-19:00 Drinks reception and music from Jiginaboot
End the day with a drinks reception and some music from Jiginaboot Ceilidh Band, a local, multi-talented acoustic trio!