THE programme has been announced for the 2019 Peebles Outdoor Film Festival.

And it includes special appearances by mountain bike legend Hans Rey, wild swimmer and TV star Calum Maclean, and adventurer and Cal Major.

Now in its fifth year, the event will run at the Eastgate Theatre over the weekend of January 25-27.

Given the love of all things two-wheeled in the Tweed Valley, the appearance by Hans ‘No Way’ Rey as part of his UK stage tour is set to be a particular draw.

The former World Champion, Mountain Bike Hall of Famer and adventurer will take audiences on a journey through an incredible career – from his early riding days and extreme biking feats to more recent biking adventures –including an attempt to scale the summits of Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya together with Danny Macaskill.

Visitors will also be treated to an evening with Calum Maclean, the entertaining star of the BBC’s online channel The Social and BBC Alba.

He is a filmmaker and wild swimmer whose love of exploring Scotland’s lochs and rivers sees scant regard for personal comfort.

The water theme continues with an appearance by Cal Major, who competed the world's first 1,000-mile paddle from Land’s End to John O’ Groats this year – to highlight the issue of plastic pollution and promote positive change.

The festival also features appearances by a host of inspiring figures from the local area, including British and European 24hr Mountain Bike Champion Naomi Freireich; BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Jen Crook; and Jack Harland, the Peebles-based author of the highly-acclaimed Highland Journal, published earlier this year.

For the first time, the 2019 festival also steps outside the theatre building with local adventurer Ed Shoote leading a bikepacking workshop at nearby BSpoke Cycles.

Meanwhile, an outdoor injury session – led by Phil Mack from Peebles Physiotherapy – will take place at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland.

Rich Rowe from the Eastgate Theatre told us: "After months of planning, we’re delighted with this year’s line-up of speakers, films and outdoor sessions.

"It’s a selection that will entertain audiences of all ages – making them laugh, cry, gasp and, hopefully, start planning their own adventures for the year ahead."

The 2019 Peebles Outdoor Film Festival runs from January 25-27, and is sponsored by the John Muir Trust, Tontine Hotel, Go Ape, Peebles Hydro/The Park and Adrenalin Rehab, with additional support from Out & About, Macdonald Cardrona, No 1 Peebles Road, Pocket Mountains, Glede Knowe Guest House, FINDRA, Ridelines and Cleikum Mill Lodge.

Hard copies of the programme are available from the box office and online at www.eastgatearts.com