Peebles Outdoor Film Festival

This weekend a high-energy celebration of outdoor and mountain culture, the Peebles Outdoor Film Festival returns with adventure films, exciting speakers and exhilarating hands-on sessions.

Special appearances by renowned explorer Benedict Allen – who hit the headlines recently following his ‘rescue’ from Papua New Guinea – record-breaking ocean adventurer Olly Hicks, celebrated ultra-runner Jasmin Paris, Scottish winter climbing superstar Greg Boswell and adventure filmmaker Paul Diffley will be among the highlights when the festival is held at the Eastgate Theatre over the weekend of 26-28 January.

The programme also sees a line-up of adventure films covering everything from surfing and deep water soloing to slack-lining, mountain biking, skiing and mountaineering.

Adventure film-maker Paul Diffley will talk about his acclaimed Hot Aches label, and explain why his latest film, a caving epic set in Spain’s Picos de Europa mountains, is perhaps his most difficult undertaking yet; while festival audiences will be among the first to hear about ultra-adventurer Jenny Tough’s latest world first – a solo, unsupported run along the length of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

As well as big names from further afield, the festival also features appearances by inspiring figures from in and around the Borders. Between them, Lynne Armstrong (mountain biking), Greg Boswell (winter climbing), David Winton (long-distance cycling), and Geoff Allan (author of The Scottish Bothy Bible) are set to entertain audiences of all ages with tales of their adventures.

There is also an expanded range of outdoor sessions, from guided mountain bike rides and runs to trekking with alpacas and exploring the John Muir Trust’s property at Glenlude, near Traquair.

The 2018 Peebles Outdoor Film Festival runs from 26–28 January, and is kindly sponsored by John Muir Trust, Peebles Hydro & The Park, Findra, Tontine Hotel and Out & About. Hard copies of the programme are available from the Eastgate Theatre Box Office, or can be viewed online.