| Where: | Duns, Borders |
| When: | 1st full week of July (ie week starting from 1st Sunday in the month) |
| Time: | Thursday - from 4.30 pm, Saturday - all day |
The Summer Festival at Duns was set up in the mid twentieth century and is a week long celebration starting on the first Sunday of the month with a wide selection of traditional events including sports, music , dancing and childrens entertaiments. On the Tuesday, a cavalcade led by the Reiver make their way to the summit of Duns Law for a service commemorating General Leslie and the Covenanters’ encampment here in opposition to King Charles I in 1639.The traditional Handba game is played on Friday night (see separate article for Duns Ba). On the Saturday, there is a Common Riding boundary marking custom and also fancy dress, concerts and music.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 the Festival should run from 6th to 12th July (to be confirmed) with the Duns Law service on Thursday 10th July (it used to be on Tuesdays but from 2022 has been changed) and the Common Riding on Saturday 12th July. Check the Facebook link below for updates.
Printed programmes with full details are readily available in town.
Click here for the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DunsSummerFestival
Click here to find out more : http://www.dunsehistorysociety.co.uk/reivers.shtml
What a disgrace to Duns and it’s tradition of Reivers week. I know outside forces caused havoc, but sadly it’s reflected on Duns. I would hope(as a resident) that this never ever happens again! It was horrible!
Dear Chris,
Thanks for your message- your comment has come through to calendarcustoms.com rather than to the organisation team at the Duns Summer Festival. I wasn’t at Duns for the Festival this year so am unsure what the incident was that you refer to, but I’m sure that the organisers will be most concerned that local residents are unhappy about any negative events associated with the Festival so I’d urge you to contact them at https://www.facebook.com/DunsSummerFestival
Best wishes,
Averil