Friday March 20th 2026
Melrose Music Festival
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A key festival in the Scottish Borders annual events calendar is seeking £30,000 in funding over the next three years to build on its success.
The Melrose Music Festival is a flourishing week-long celebration that brings the historic Borders town to life with an eclectic mix of choral, orchestral, and jazz performances.
Founded in 2017, the festival has quickly established itself as a premier cultural destination, recognized for its commitment to high musical standards and artistic excellence.
When members of Scottish Borders Council’s William Hill Fund Sub-Committee meet next week they will be asked to agree a funding application for £10,000 annually over the next three years.
Members will hear that the festival is now becoming a destination event for audiences from within and outside of the Borders and its reputation is also growing amongst professional musicians and music groups across the UK.
Much of its success has been attributed to the “vision, experience and drive” of its artistic director, Robert Marshall.
A report with the application states: “As an emerging festival still, and as one that is moving to professionalise what we do, we need three year support to allow us to transition to, build upon and deliver future plans.
“If the festival is to continue to succeed this is the moment to stabilise and grow our festival into something truly sustainable by 2028.
“This award would demonstrate a longer term commitment by our own local partners to continue and develop our work, deliver our stated aims and significantly bolster our (and the areas) reputation: we want to be able to trumpet your support in all that.
“Whilst we may be moving to be called the Borders Music Festival, events funded by this are entirely for the benefit of Melrose which will remain our base and where our impact is greatest.”
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