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Duns Summer Festival

Instituted in 1949 to commemorate the town‘s history and traditions in a week of sports, concerts, rideouts and parades.

The 2021 Duns Summer Festival is cancelled.

Duns Summer Festival

History

On Monday night the Burgh Flag is handed to the Reiver for safekeeping. The next evening, he leads his mounted followers to the summit of Duns Law for a short service. Here in 1639 General Leslie’s covenanting army encamped to oppose Charles I who was preparing to cross the River Tweed and enforce a form of religion which the Scots found unacceptable. Wednesday is children‘s day in the Public Park. Friday sees the traditional game of “handba”, played between the married men and bachelors of the town. The final ceremonies on the next day include the Riding of the Parish Bounds, athletics and a fancy dress.

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Follow Duns Summer Festival on Facebook for all the latest news and information or contact the Festival Committee by email.

For all public transport options to Duns, please visit Traveline Scotland.