The NTS’s Harmony Garden is to host this year’s Borders Book Festival on 21-24 June.

Among the trees and the flowers of the beautiful garden in Melrose, marquees will rise, people will gather and some of the world’s supreme literary talents will talk at a range of superb sessions.

Appropriately, Sarah Raven from Gardeners’ World will appear on the first night to launch her stunning new book, Garden Cookbook. On the same night the gifted Lesley Glaister will talk about her new thriller, Nina Todd Has Gone. Up until Sunday 24 June, Claire Messud, Bernard Cornwell, Lord George Robertson, Andrew Greig, Mary Contini, Bettany Hughes, William Dalrymple, Iain banks and Ian Rankin will join them, along with many others.

On Saturday 23 June, authors will gather for mutual support. ‘Panned, Rubbish and Slated’ will be chaired by Clare English for BBC Radio Scotland’s Radio Café, and famous authors including James Naughtie, George Rosie, Norman Davies and others will discuss their worst reviews ever.

Music will fill the air throughout the weekend, courtesy of an ensemble called Waxwing. To accompany them, festival goers can find a glass of chilled wine or champagne at the Festival Wine Bar.

There’s lots to see and do for children during the festival on Saturday and Sunday with free hands-on activities, and exciting workshop events with some of Britain’s best-loved children’s storytellers and story book illustrators.

And finally, on Sunday night, after Ian Rankin has (or has not) revealed the fate of DI John Rebus, one of Scotland’s finest folk bands, Scocha, will play in the festival’s closing concert, providing a rousing end to a memorable weekend.