Border Border Reivers

Hundreds of people are expected at the two-day Border Reivers festival in Hawick this weekend.

The event celebrates the myths and dramas of the area in the 16th and 17th centuries when the notorious Reivers were active.

Feuding families of Reivers often conducted raids across the border to England to steal cattle and many were hanged by the authorities.

The festival features drama, song, poetry and re-enactments to show what life was like in those turbulent times 400 years ago.

There will also be a torchlight procession through the town this evening.

A two-day festival celebrating the history of the Border Reivers gets underway today.

The event in Hawick will highlight what the area was like in those turbulent times five hundred years ago.

It'll feature drama, song, poetry and re-enactments.

The festival will also include a torchlight procession through the town.

The Common Riding and Festival season is now in full swing, with most of the Borders towns having celebrated their special week.

Today, it was the Berwickshire town of Duns that celebrated their main day, during a festival which has only been running for 65 years, but is now very much a part of their heritage.

Duns Reiver Ross Foreman tells ITV Border about his spine-tingling moment during today's rideout in Duns, while the Reiver's Lass Lauren Burns explains why today was important for her.

The Duns Summer Festival, also known as Reivers Week, is taking place in Duns this week, with their main ride out taking place today (Saturday 12th July).

This year the cavalcade of nearly 200 horses is being led by Reiver Ross Foreman and Reiver's Lass Lauren Burns.

Nearly 500 years ago, towns in the Borders were run by ruthless men who would steal cattle and plunder their neighbours to gain wealth and status.

It was a bloodthirsty but colourful time in the region's history, and this weekend, Hawick will remember the Border Reivers through song and drama.

You can watch the full report from Jenny Longden below.

A torchlight procession due to be held tomorrow evening has been cancelled due to wintry weather.

A walk to Roberton has also been cancelled on Sunday.

Other events for the festival, which runs from Friday evening until Sunday, will go ahead as planned.

A festival celebrating and remembering the men that once fought for Border towns takes place this weekend.

The Hawick Reiver Festival is a programme of performances, demonstrations and re-enactments to give local people and visitors a flavour of what the town would have been like nearly 500 years ago.

Among the activities planned, there will be a fancy dress parade, jousting, a medieval market and singing from local schools.

A full programme of events is available here:

http://www.hawickreivers.com/events.htm