PLANS to bring a dark period in Scottish history to life through the creation of an original drama have been unveiled.

Tweeddale theatre-makers Clare Prenton, Anita John and Vivian Reid are looking to develop 1629: The Year of Rope and Flame.

The new play will explore a difficult time in Tweeddale’s past when 27 local people were executed for witchcraft.

The overall aim of the project is to develop the play fully, present it on stage, and gather feedback from participants and audiences.

That will help to complete a definitive script that can be used in future by either amateur or professional performers.

The Eastgate Theatre is looking for more than £2,000 from Peebles Common Good Fund (PCGF) to help with the costs of producing an educational packs for schools on the topic.

The fund's sub committee will consider the bid next week.

A statement submitted with the bid said: "This period of history, the issues raised by the treatment of witches in 17th century Scotland and the contemporary parallels with ‘otherness’, gossip and prejudice will offer interesting material for pupils in local schools.

"Funds requested from PCGF would add history packs with lesson plans suitable for senior 1-3 history and drama students, and for primary 5-7 classes in literacy and social studies."

The cash would also go towards talks by historian Mary Craig, Simon Ritchie, Elisa Smith, who led a successful campaign to create a memorial on Tweed Green to those executed for witchcraft.

The project is aiming for performances of the play at the Eastgate Theatre in spring 2025 and then at Duns PlayFest in May.