Borderers are being invited to bring their stories about the River Tweed to Innerleithen on Saturday 9 May as part of a free drop-in storytelling and story-gathering event celebrating the river and its surrounding woodlands.
Hosted by Destination Tweed’s Tweed Stories programme, the Scottish Wildlife Trust-led Riverwoods Blueprint Project, and Innerleithen Community Trust, Tales from the Riverbank will encourage local people to share memories and favourite places, take part in fun Tweed-themed activities suitable for all ages and contribute to a growing community archive of stories about the river and its surrounding woodlands. As well as preserving local knowledge, the online archive will inspire interpretation for the River Tweed Trail which is set to launch in 2028.
Tales from the Riverbank will also feature hands-on creative activities run by the Riverwoods team. Attendees will be able to make zines and add their stories, hopes and ideas to a collage that imagines the future of Scotland’s rivers and river woodlands. The aim is to build a shared piece of artwork, which will travel to events across the country and be displayed in Riverwoods’ online exhibition, Streams of Creativity.
Innerleithen Community Trust will also present insights into the history and ecology of the local mill lade, a historic river channel linking the Leithen Water to the Tweed.
The day will conclude with a story-telling performance by award-winning poet, Craig Aitchison. Craig will blend poetry and audience participation in a unique celebration of rivers and river woodlands.
Sophie Gartshore, Destination Tweed Communications and Digital Content manager, said;
“We want to discover what makes the River Tweed so special for the people who live in the area and to preserve those stories for future generations. Our Tales from the Riverbank event offers creative and engaging ways for people to share their memories, celebrate the river and contribute to a living archive that reflects the rich heritage of this landscape so we hope as many people as possible will come on the day.”
Nicole Still, Riverwoods Project Manager, added; “Scotland’s river woodlands are full of life and stories. We are looking forward to celebrating what the River Tweed means to the people and wildlife who live in the Scottish Borders through Tales from the Riverbank. This is part of wider Blueprint Project activity in the area, and we hope the event will inspire others to get involved with the efforts taking place across Scotland to restore our river woodlands for generations to come”.
Tales from the Riverbank drop-in event runs from 1pm-4pm on Saturday 9 May at Innerleithen Memorial Hall. Entry is free and all are welcome. Find more information and book a free place via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tales-from-the-riverbank-tickets-1987504067167.There will be free refreshments including fresh river-themed baking from Holtz Bakery.