EDINBURGH may capture the headlines when it comes to festivals in August, but art lovers don’t need to head to the capital for creative entertainment next month.

Running for 10 days, from August 23 to September 1, the 2019 Creative Peebles Festival celebrates the wealth of creative talent found locally by shining a light on the many artists, musicians, arts groups, film makers and craftspeople found in this most artistic of towns.

This year’s festival offers not just a host of indoor performances and workshops but also opportunities to explore the often-surprising history, architecture, nature and landscape of Peebles through a wide-ranging programme of walks, talks and tours.

The festival opens with the traditional Open Galleries Evening, which sees 14 different venues – from galleries to hotels, studios and even a fishmonger– exhibit the work of a huge number of visual artists.

All venues are participating in the week-long Creative Peebles Art Trail and one lucky visitor will win £200 to spend on art.

Each visitor will be able to pick up an art trail passport which they have stamped in each gallery they visit - collect eight stamps and the passport can be entered into a draw for the £200 prize.

This year, the Eastgate Theatre’s temporary closure for the refit of its auditorium takes several events and performances out to different venues.

The first is Neidpath Castle where Horse McDonald, one of Scotland’s finest singers, will perform an intimate gig in the vaulted Laigh Hall on Fri 23 August.

On Sun 25 August it is time to break out the high heels, fabulous costumes, smart suits and kilts as dance fans gather in the Peebles Hydro Hotel ballroom for the second Take to the Floor event.

This ‘Strictly-style’ celebration of dance and live music continues the fundraising effort for the second phase of the Eastgate Development.

The traditional festival lecture by the Tweeddale Society takes place in the McFarlane Hall on Tues 27 August when eminent composer, musician and humanitarian Nigel Osborne will reflect on the life journey that has found him settled in Carlops, with its unexpected and inspirational history.

With the redesigned ground floor of the Eastgate open for business, the Anne Younger Studio will stage a variety of events, including a film-inspired dance weekend and performances of three instalments from the Memory Jar of scenes, poems and stories collected from Peebles residents by Clare Prenton.

Outside, visitors and locals are invited to explore in and around the town on several walks and guided tours taking in Neidpath Castle, Dawyck, Traquair Estate and Cademuir Hill – the latter in the company of Peeblesshire Archaeological Society.

The final day of the festival will be filled with the sound of Mozart as everyone who would like to have a go at singing is invited to form a huge scratch choir working with Peebles Orchestra to learn the magnificent Mozart Requiem during the day and perform it in Peebles Burgh Hall at 7pm in the evening.

For more, call Box Office on 01721 725777, or go online at www.eastgatearts.com