Celebrating the Digital Expansion of the Borders Book Festival

That the Parliament welcomes the innovative collaboration between the Borders Book Festival and two leading Borders technology companies, the Borders-born independent broadband builder GoFibre and its partner SPG Innovation & Technologies; notes that this partnership enabled the festival to livestream its events to a global audience for the first time during its run from 11 to 14 June 2026 at Harmony Garden, Melrose; recognises that the Borders Book Festival, which was established in 2004, has grown into one of the UK’s premier literary events, attracting around 40,000 visitors annually to the region for four days of ideas, entertainment and conversation; further recognises that the provision of a lightning-fast full-fibre connection opened up festival sessions featuring speakers, including Sophie Raworth, Alexander McCall Smith and Lorraine Kelly, to virtual audiences worldwide; notes that this digital integration has also improved festival accessibility, ensuring seamless connectivity for staff, authors and attendees alike, and celebrates the continued success of the Borders Book Festival, GoFibre and SPG Innovation & Technologies in showcasing the unique cultural heritage and burgeoning technological expertise of the Scottish Borders.