Alistair Moffat

Born: 1950 in Kelso
First Book: Edinburgh Fringe (Johnston and Bacon, 1978)

Born and raised in Kelso in the Scottish Border country, Alistair Moffat has often left the place in body, but never in spirit. He attended the universities of St Andrews, Edinburgh and London, and also received some tough education on the rugby fields of the Borders.

In 1976 Alistair took over the running of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in five years made it the largest and most dynamic arts festival in the world. It was during his time there that it grew tremendously and many famous names emerged as major talents.

Moffat then moved to Scottish Television and rose through the ranks to become director of programmes. On the way he made several award-winning documentaries and then took over the running of the children's schedule on ITV. After a period as chairman of Scottish Television, he returned to the Borders to work and live where he founded the Borders Book Festival which takes place in Melrose each summer and threatens to grow phenomenally.

A prolific and popular author, Alistair’s books Kelsae, The Borders, The Reviers, The Sea Kingdoms, The Wall and Tuscany are all published by Birlinn.