To celebrate the vast history of the area and its beautifully natural environment, The Roxburghe Estate in Kelso has teamed up with TheSouthern to launch a schools art competition.

They would are inviting young people in the Borders region to draw a winter scene of the 18th-century Floors Castle or the Roxburghe Hotel, which is located on the Duke of Roxburghe’s estate. The winning entry will be displayed in the hotel, and will appear in TheSouthern.

Young artists can enter either via their school or individually. Categories are ages five to seven, eight to 11, 12 to 15, or 16 to 18. All the category winners will each receive an invitation for their families (up to four people, two adults and two children) to lunch at the Roxburghe and the winning class will enjoy a golf or a fishing experience as well as a visit to Floors Castle.

George Mack, general manager at the Roxburghe Hotel said: “We see this as a great opportunity to promote the local talent, along with the estate. I’m sure this will be a busy term at school, however, entries don’t have to be done during class time – we’d be delighted to welcome any young artists to the hotel or to the grounds of Floors Castle to have a look around if it will help them get inspiration for their painting.”

Entries should be submitted to Roxburghe Art Competition, C/o Elaine Howie Public Relations Ltd, 6A Randolph Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7TE, by April 19.

Short-listed entries will be displayed in the hotel from May 1 to 7 when the winner will be announced.

The judging panel will include Mr Mack and Susan Windram, editor of TheSouthern.