Kailzie launches new Bunkhouse for Mountain Bikers

The new Kailzie Bunkhouse close to Glentress and Innerleithen, next to Cardrona Forest in the Tweed Valley and opened on 21st August 2008.

We have 3 bunkrooms with 2 bunks in each (4 person rooms) all with either shower rooms or bathrooms en-suite.

There are also 2 dormitory style rooms with bunks and single beds sleeping 5 or 7 people, each also with a shower room.

There is a large communal kitchen and dining room with cookers, microwaves, fridges etc., and a cosy sitting room with television, DVD player and a wood-burning stove.

Full availability starts from 20th September but to inquire about dates for up to 24 people, follow this link to the Kailzie Gardens website.

There are also more photographs if you click on the Gallery link, with more expected next week.

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c/ 11 September 2008

Fri 12 Sep 10am – 4pm
Peebles High School International Relations Exhibition
exhibition
Interactive displays and workshops on the cultures of China, Ukraine, Switzerland, Italy and France, presented by High School students. Many months of research and building contacts with help from the Consuls General of these countries have created a fascinating insight into the diversity of their cultures. This is a hands on and get involved type of exhibition.
FREE

Fri 12 Sep 7.30pm
Jazz-A-Ward
music
Larger than life, Dan Ward gives a tremendous performance that shakes the roof of the Eastgate Theatre. After the fantastic atmosphere last year, as part of Peebles Arts Festival, the Eastgate warmly welcomes Dan back.

Sat 13 Sep 7.30pm
Dance around the world
dance
Finnish group Mihrimah present traditional Egyptian Belly Dance as well as traditional Finnish dance; Jenny Francis and Ricardo Oria perform Tango Argentino; and Kick the Cat show off their Appalachian Clogging steps. The line-up also includes PHS Scottish Country Dance Group, Borders Arabic Dance Group, Irish Dance, and Daughters of Isis performing Egyptian Folk style dance with a Scottish twist.

Sun 14 Sep 7.30pm
Koda
music
After a sell-out event last year, this lively young group from Biggar makes a welcome return to this year’s Peebles Arts Festival. The band, who last year released an award winning CD Alternative Frequency, play a variety of traditional music and song with a contemporary edge.

Tue 16 Sep 7.30pm
Carol Laula
music
With "a style which bobs around somewhere between the sweet, clear delicacy of Joni Mitchell and the tougher edges of Joan Armatrading" and six albums under her belt, Carol has also been described as "Scotland's leading singer-songwriter". Collaborating with late Big Country’s Stuart Adamson, and sharing a stage with Billy Bragg at Glastonbury, are but a few of this stunning singer’s achievements.

Wed 17 Sep 8pm
Dylan Moran
comedy
Dylan Moran is probably best known as the owner of Channel 4’s Black Books starring with Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig. Those of you who saw his Perrier winning performance at the Fringe will know just how entertaining this man is, surreal, witty, droll, enigmatic and very, very funny. NB: THIS SHOW IS NOW SOLD OUT.

The Eastgate Theatre - w/c/ 4 September 2008

Thu 4 & Fri 5 Sep 7.30pm
Men of the World
drama
Coach drivers see all walks of life. Three of them are preparing to take a gaggle of assorted Saga louts on a mystery trip to Scarborough and pass the time by reminiscing about the eccentrics encountered on previous trips. But are not the drivers more eccentric than their passengers?

Sun 7 Sep 7.30pm
Jacqui McShee's Pentangle
music
Jacqui McShee and Pentangle are legendary names. The band's evolving styles and various line-ups have always made groundbreaking music. "Glorious stuff, deeply atmospheric and immaculately sung and played. The current line-up of Pentangle kicks up an absolute storm and Jacqui's voice is gorgeous." Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

Mon 8 Sep 7.30pm
Music And Madness
music
An evening of lute, guitar and vocals with Jamie Akers; a delightful mix of music and madness. In previous centuries the divide between musical genres didn’t exist. It wasn’t infrequent to hear a folk song melody incorporated into a setting of the mass, or high flown variations spun from the simplest of themes. Jamie brings this mix into a modern setting.

Tue 9 Sep 7.30pm
Amada
drama
Cora Bissett directs the Arches Theatre Company in a performance based on a story by Isabel Allende. This show moves through the whole gamut of theatrical genres - puppetry, silhouettes, dance, film, and dramatic acting – to breathe life into the story of Maria who, after an accident with a train, is left ‘simple’.

Wed 10 Sep 7.30pm
Links With China
talk
As part of the ‘China Now in Scotland’ festival running from February to November 2008, celebrating the culture and connections between the two countries, Dr David Paterson gives an illustrated talk on Links with China. A fundraising event for Friends of Dawyck Gardens and Friends of the Eastgate.

Fri 12 Sep 10am – 4pm
Peebles High School International Relations Exhibition
Exhibition
Students present interactive displays and workshops on the cultures of China, Ukraine, Switzerland, Italy and France. Many months of research and building contacts with help from the Consuls General of these countries has created a fascinating insight into the diversity of their cultures. This is a hands-on and get-involved type of exhibition.

Fri 12 Sep 7.30pm
Jazz-A-Ward
music
Larger than life, Dan Ward gives a tremendous performance that shakes the roof of the Eastgate Theatre. After the fantastic atmosphere last year, the festival warmly welcomes Dan back.

Scottish Borders Awards 2008 nomination

The Tweed Valley website has been shortlisted in the Scottish Borders Awards 2008 in the “Award for Best Use of IT in a Tourism Related Business” category.

The winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on Friday 3 October at Springwood Hall, Border Union Showground, Kelso.

Jacqui McShee's Pentangle to visit Peebles

Northern music lovers are in for a real treat when Jacqui McShee's Pentangle presents an all-new show at The Eastgate Theatre on Sunday 7 September.

The concert features the current line-up with Jacqui McShee on vocals, Gerry Conway on drums and percussion, Spencer Cozens on keyboards, Alan Thompson on bass, and Gary Foot on saxophone and flute.

As a bonus, the evening will feature an opening slot by singer/songwriter David Hughes.

Jacqui is in the news: the original 1960s Pentangle line-up staged its fortieth anniversary tour this year, a reunion which attracted much media coverage for Jacqui with appearances on television and rave reviews in the music press and national newspapers.

Now Jacqui is touring with her own band presenting an evening of musical magic. As well as a selection of songs first recorded with the original line-up, Jacqui McShee's Pentangle plays a mixture of new self-penned songs, traditional numbers and jazz standards.

Jacqui is looking forward to being back on the road. "I'm really pleased we are playing at The Eastgate Theatre” she says. “I've always loved doing shows in the north; the audience is particularly warm and appreciative and we've had some great times in the Borders."

Although Jacqui McShee's Pentangle has been labelled 'jazz-folk' the music defies pigeonholing and the concert's wide-ranging repertoire will appeal to most musical tastes. The band's current line-up makes groundbreaking music and, just like the original group, Jacqui's unique voice is always to the fore.

For tickets and information call the box office on 01721 725777

The Eastgate - w/c 28 August 2008

28 August Thursday 7.30pm
Dancers
Akelarre Dancers
Akelarre is a dance group which performs Basque dances in the traditional, colourful costumes of the country. Thirty male and female dancers of mixed ages are accompanied by four musicians for this lively international dance display.

30 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Robin Hutt
Much in demand as a recital and concerto soloist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist and composer, Robin combines his playing with teaching work in Edinburgh schools. He has also composed for Edinburgh Camerata, plays timpani and principal percussion with Edinburgh Symphony Baroque, and is a member of St Michael and All Saint's Choir.

Mon 1 Sep 7.30pm
Festival Lecture - The Reivers
Talk
A talk by well known author Alistair Moffat, and sponsored by the Tweeddale Society. Born and raised in Kelso, Alistair has been Chairman of STV, Director of Edinburgh Festival Fringe, founder of the Borders Book Festival as well as finding time to become a prolific author.

Thu 4 & Fri 5 Sep 7.30pm
Men of the World
Drama
Coach drivers see all walks of life. Three of them are preparing to take a gaggle of assorted Saga louts on a mystery trip to Scarborough and pass the time by reminiscing about the eccentrics encountered on previous trips. But are not the drivers more eccentric than their passengers?

The Eastgate - w/c 21 August 2008

21 August Thursday 7.30pm
Music
Rave On - A Tribute To Buddy Holly
Marc Robinson and his Counterfeit Crickets take you back to the days when cars had fins, the suits were sharp, and frothy coffee in the local café was the height of cool. The band rolls back the years with numbers including Rave On, Raining in My Heart and Doesn't Matter Any More, and the authentic sound of Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

22 August Friday 7.30pm
Music
Jeff Barnhart
Sit back and enjoy an evening of jazz piano music, in the capable hands of Jeff Barnhart. Since launching his professional career in his home state of Connecticut at the age of just 14, Jeff has established a reputation as a soloist and band member all over the globe.

23 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Erlings New Orleans Jazz Band No 2
Erling Norberg has been playing in jazz bands for over 50 years. He headed the Tuxedo Jazz Band when they guested at the Peebles International Jazz Festival in 2004 and he reckoned that was good…but his latest band is even better... possibly the best jazz band ever!

24 August - 14 September Daily
Exhibition
Through The Lens
An exhibition of work from local photographers Tom Oliver and Dave Sargent. The subject matter is wide, including pictures from Arts Festival events as well as other creative work. In addition, images from a children's photography competition called 'Knee High Peebles' will form part of this exhibition from 30th August onwards.

26 August Tuesday 7.30pm
Music
Julian Goodacre's Wonderful World Of Bagpipes
Peebles bagpipe maker Julian Goodacre has been playing, making, researching, designing and composing on pipes for the last 25 years. He shares his enthusiasm and knowledge, along with his collection of pipes from the UK and beyond, to create an entertaining celebration of the world of bagpipes and their music. Expect surprises!

27 August Wednesday 7.30pm
Music
Jamie Laval & Ashley Broder
Jamie Laval is one of the top Scottish fiddlers on the international circuit today. Joined by mandolin virtuoso Ashley Broder, the duo play traditional Irish and Scottish music with hints of classical refinement and the influence of ethnic music from around the world - a unique approach to roots-based acoustic music.

28 August Thursday 7.30pm
Dancers
Akelare Dancers
Akelare is a dance group which performs Basque dances in the traditional, colourful costumes of the country. Thirty male and female dancers of mixed ages are accompanied by four musicians for this lively international dance display.

Top 10 Edinburgh day trips

The Guardian today publishes a list of Top 10 day trips from Edinburgh if the Festivals are getting too much - so well done to Traquair for coming in at number 6!

Read the full article here.

The Eastgate - w/c 1 August 2008

1 August Friday 7.30pm
Drama
Hostage
Alone, in chains and darkness, James is a hostage of religious fundamentalists; back home, a woman struggles for his freedom. But this is 1474, when Trinitarian friars in Peebles are dedicated to redeeming captives from the Moors...

2 August Saturday 7.30pm
Music
Frank Usher And The Border Boogie Band
Frank Usher is known all over the world for his work with the singer Fish, but when he comes home he plays with his fellow rockers The Border Boogie Band. Their heady mix of hard-rockin’, smooth croonin’ and foot-stompin’ rhythms will ensure everybody has a good time.

3 August Sunday 7.30pm
Music
Twelfth Day Duo
Orcadian Catriona Price and Esther Swift from Peebles come from opposite ends of the Scottish folk scene but both are enthusiastic about incorporating as many different influences into their writing and arranging as possible and work extensively in folk, jazz and classical music through the medium of harp and fiddle.

4 – 22 August Daily
Exhibition
Faces & Spaces
A photographic mixture by Dougie Johnston of Galawater Photography. This exhibition focuses in particular on images of theatre performances, Border events and landscapes.
FREE

Tweed Valley Mountain Bike Hospitality Scheme

“Mountain bikers climb into bed in Tweed Valley”

What do Britney Spears, Spooky Wood and Blue Velvet all have in common?

If you know that they are all names of some of the sections at Glentress Mountain Bike Centre near Peebles then chances are you are one of the 200,000 bikers who visit there each year.

Glentress is reputed to be the best mountain biking course in Britain and truly delivers a world class adventure product. The Tweed Valley Tourist Consortia recognises the importance of mountain biking tourists to the area but want to encourage more of them to stay a little longer and discover the wealth of other things that this stunning area has to offer.

As a result of listening to mountain bikers and finding out exactly what they would need from accommodation, they have developed a brand new Mountain Bikers Hospitality Scheme. This is a special collection of hotels, bed and breakfasts and self catering properties which are totally geared up to providing mountain bikers with everything they need for the perfect break.

As well as offering a lovely place to stay and a wonderful bike friendly welcome they can be assured of safe lockable storage for their prized mountain bike, bike washing and maintenance area, a clothes drying room and plenty of quality high carb meals to re-fuel for the next day’s adventure.

The Tweed Valley is the first area in Scotland to provide mountain bikers with a hospitality scheme which assures them of finding accommodation which is genuinely mountain bike friendly and focussed on providing them with a world class mountain biking experience in this beautiful corner of Scotland.

To find out how to book just visit www.visittweedvalley.co.uk and look out for the sign at accommodation properties throughout the Tweed Valley.