THE directors of a Borders event have announced the end of an eight-year relationship with one of its sponsors.

The Borders Book Festival has announced that its partnership with Baillie Gifford has ended.

It follows recent pressure on other festivals, such as the Edinburgh Book Festival, from climate activists who have called on events linked with the investment firm to sever ties.

Baillie Gifford has sponsored the Borders Book Festival for eight years.

A spokesperson on behalf of festival directors Alistair Moffat, Paula Ogilvie, and chairman Michael Moore said: "The directors have today (June 4) announced that after 2024 the Borders Book Festival will no longer be sponsored by Baillie Gifford, following protests around their sponsorship of this and other book festivals.

"We took this decision with great regret because we have enjoyed eight happy and productive years working together to make our festival better, more accessible and in particular more attractive to children and families.

"Without the support of Baillie Gifford we would not have been able to mount such a vibrant and varied children’s festival (where adults go free) and do all that we do with schools in the Borders.

"Baillie Gifford’s support has enabled us to put free books into the hands of thousands of children, and that aspect of their support will be sorely missed.

"We wish to put on record our thanks to the company for their solid and passionate support not only for our festival, its authors and audiences, but for all the book festivals across Britain who have benefitted from Baillie Gifford’s commitment to the world of books and readers."

Concerns were raised by campaigners who claim Baillie Gifford has links to oil firms and Israel.

A Baillie Gifford spokesperson said they would not be commenting on this news.

The book festival spokesperson added that Borders Book Festival had not been contacted by any group wishing to protest Baillie Gifford's sponsorship of the event.