IF you go down to the woods in the Tweed Valley later this month, you might be in for more than just a big surprise.

Marking its tenth anniversary in 2015, the Tweed Valley Forest Festival (October 23 November 1) returns with a livelier than ever celebration of the area’s woodland culture, local produce and ancient Halloween rites – including a brand new chainsaw carving extravaganza.

Organised by the Treefest Partnership, the festival sees events take place in a variety of locations around the Tweed Valley, although much of the action on the opening weekend (October 24-25) centres on the picturesque setting of Tweed Green, Peebles.

Outside, a host of stallholders, including the John Muir Trust, Wolf Glen Tipis and The Woodland Trust, will provide hands-on activities for the whole family. Visitors can try their hand at making wooden utensils, bat boxes, or a traditional witch’s broom for Halloween, as well as check out local firewood suppliers and buy a range of wood products, from mushroom stools to wood-burning stoves and local fruit trees.

The stalls on Tweed Green are an extension of the exceptionally high quality Wood Market in the nearby Community Centre, which continues to build on its growing reputation as Scotland’s premier event of its kind. This is the place to go for bespoke wooden furniture, gifts and toys, driftwood art, sawn timber and pretty much everything in between – and all available direct from the makers.

Joining ever-popular regulars such as Wee Toon Carver, Driftwood Studios and Michael McManus – a sculptor of giant conkers – are a host of new exhibitors from all over Scotland.

And brand new for this year’s special anniversary festival is Carvefest, supported by The Woodland Trust. A spectacular two-day event, Carvefest will show off the skills of a dozen of the best chainsaw carvers from around the UK, including the top three competitors from this year’s Scottish Chainsaw Carving Championships held in Carrbridge.

It’s likely to be as noisy as it is creative, with demonstrations of quick carves, plus the carving of larger pieces that will be auctioned off to the public on Sunday afternoon. Subjects are likely to include exquisite birds, animals and human figures, plus specific items commissioned over the weekend.

Competitors and spectators alike will also be going bonkers for conkers once more as the humble horse chestnut takes centre stage for the ninth Scottish Conker Championships (Sat, October 24). Organised by the Borders Forest Trust, it’s always a hugely popular event, with last year’s championships seeing more than 100 competitors across four different age categories. This year’s smash off begins at 12 noon.

As well as all the fabulous wood products and entertainment, visitors will also be able to enjoy a weekend-long Food Market with the chance to try a range of locally-produced treats, from local venison to cocktail demonstrations and Scottish tapas.

The second weekend of the festival sees a change of theme and pace, with various spooky events and Halloween activities at Traquair House, Bowhill Estate and Abbotsford.

There’s also a chance to enjoy the late autumn colours on a guided afternoon walk at the lovely Dawyck Botanic Gardens, plus visit St Ronan’s Wells Visitor Centre to view Adrian McCurdy’s unique cleft oak furniture and his first exhibition of carved wall panels (Cleft and Carved, until October 31).

“It’s going to be a wonderful festival with a real mix of events for people to enjoy,” said Chris Sawers, Treefest Partnership co-ordinator. “We’re particularly looking forward to our first ever Carvefest while the Scottish Conker Championships is always brilliant fun. We can’t wait to get started.”

For more information, visit www.forest-festival.com