EXHIBITION: Illustrating Wilsons Tales

This exhibition invites visitors to discover the life and stories of one of the town’s most celebrated (yet now little-known) literary figures: John Mackay Wilson and his ‘Tales of the Borders’.

Alongside new original illustrations by Berwick-based illustrator, Ali Edwards, inspired by some of Wilson’s Berwick-based Tales, you can see beautiful work created by local community members who took part in some illustration workshops run by Ali earlier this Spring, as well as items from the collection of local charity, the Wilson’s Tales Project.

You can also pick up a free Walking with Wilson trail leaflet from the Exhibition, that takes you on a guided route through the town to uncover some of the key sites around Berwick connected to Wilson’s life and his Tales.

Free Admission during Berwick Library Opening Hours

A new exhibition opening at Berwick-upon-Tweed Library on Saturday 28 March invites visitors to discover the life and stories of one of the town’s most celebrated, yet now little-known, literary figures: John Mackay Wilson.

Illustrating Wilson’s Tales, curated by Berwick-based illustrator and designer Ali Edwards, runs until Saturday 25 April and is free to attend. It is part of a wider grant-funded project exploring Wilson’s Tales of the Borders, a collection of stories that became international bestsellers. The project has been made possible with funding through Create Berwick, supported by the North East Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council.

Who Was John Mackay Wilson?

Born in Berwick in 1804, Wilson returned to his hometown in 1832 to become Editor of The Berwick Advertiser. In 1834, he began publishing his Tales of the Borders — gripping, character-driven stories rooted in the history and landscape of the region. Hugely popular in his lifetime, the Tales continued to captivate readers for generations after his death in 1835.

Heroic Outlaws and Hand-Drawn Art

Ali’s new illustrations, nine in total, are inspired by three of Wilson’s Historical Tales: Patrick Hume and the Governor of Berwick, Launcelot Errington and His Nephew Mark – A Tale of Lindisfarne, and Grizel Cochrane – A Tale of Tweedmouth Moor. Each story features a ‘heroic outlaw’: a character who acts outside the law but within a personal moral code, driven by love, loyalty, or justice — qualities that feel very much at home in the spirit of the Borders.

Taking inspiration from Victorian book illustration and 19th-century etching and printmaking, Ali worked with dip pen and ink to recreate the texture, drama, and tonal depth of the era. The result is a striking body of work that feels both rooted in history and distinctly contemporary.

A Community Exhibition

Alongside Ali’s original illustrations, the exhibition features artwork created by members of the local community who took part in illustration workshops led by Ali as part of the project. Participants were invited to create their own visual interpretations of one of Wilson’s Tales – Launcelot Errington and His Nephew Mark – A Tale of Lindisfarne – which features well-known local landmarks and is based on real historical events.

The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive. One described how the workshop gave them “a sense of achievement and restored my self-confidence in regard to making art.” Another said they had “learned something new about local history” and enjoyed the whole experience, while a third reflected on the pleasure of “pushing myself to produce a picture from imagination.”

The exhibition also includes examples of illustrations from original and revival editions of Wilson’s Tales, from local charity the Wilson’s Tales Project’s collection.

Visitors can also pick up a free copy of the Walking with Wilson self-guided trail leaflet at the exhibition. The leaflet highlights key sites around Berwick-upon-Tweed connected to Wilson’s life and his Tales, making it a great activity for visitors and families over the Easter holidays.

Ali Edwards, curator of the exhibition, said:

“John Mackay Wilson was a remarkable figure who deserves to be much better known in his hometown. His Tales are full of adventure and a strong sense of place — and they connect us to a rich local history that is still here to be discovered. I hope this exhibition encourages people to look at Berwick and the Borders with fresh eyes, whether they’re local or visiting for the first time.”