Common riding
[2] The common riding towns are: Berwick-upon-Tweed, Hawick, Selkirk, Langholm, Lockerbie, Jedburgh, Coldstream, Penicuik, West Linton, Lanark, Lauder, Edinburgh, Melrose, Musselburgh, Galashiels, Duns, Sanquhar,[3] and Peebles.
Long after they ceased to be essential, the ridings continued in commemoration of local legend, history, and are "devoted to pageantry, singing, and unique traditions centered around equestrian events.
"[2] In current times, common ridings celebrate each Border town's history and tradition in mid-summer, during a period spanning May through to September.
[6] Hawick is traditionally the start of the season of annual common ridings, due to the fact that the community captured a flag from the English army in 1514.
[4] It celebrates the legendary capture of an English Flag in a skirmish at Hornshole believed to have taken place in 1514 and the traditional checking of the boundaries of the town's common land.
[10] After election night in May, each Saturday and Tuesday leading up to the Common-Riding, the Cornet and his supporters ride-out to visit surrounding villages and farms.
The first Cornet's Chase takes place uphill on the "Nipknowes" to St. Leonards hut where a local publican is tasked to supply the customary dish of "curds and cream" or "soordook" for refreshment during the official riding of the marches the following week.
At 6:00 am in Towerdykeside a ceremony called the Snuffin' takes place, when snuff is dispensed from an old horned mull by the town's official song singer.
Then the Principals, along with many mounted supporters, processes around the town up to the Nipknowes where the main chase takes place concluding in song, toasts and curds and cream at the Hut.
The riders then set off via Williestruther Loch and Acreknowe Reservoir to ride the marches where the Cornet ceremoniously "Cuts the Sod" at the furthermost point of the common.
They then make their way to the race-course where, after a programme of horse-racing, the company remounts and proceeds to Millpath where a proclamation is made that the marches have been duly ridden without interruption or molestation of any kind.
Later the Cornet's party attend the Common-Riding Dinner followed by the Ball where dancing continues into the night before seeing in the dawn from the summit of the Mote.
At 3:00 pm the Cornet and his mounted supporters leave the Moor for the town stopping at the Coble Pool in the River Teviot to dip the flag marking the boundary between Hawick land and the ancient Langlands estate.
Outside the riders stand to attention in their stirrups whilst the Saxhorn Band plays 'Invocation' and the Cornet displays the Flag for the last time.
Selkirk Common Riding commemorates how, after the disastrous Battle of Flodden in 1513, from the eighty men that left the town, only one – Fletcher – returned bearing a captured English flag.
Other events include the Standard Bearers Dinner on Monday, and Ladies Night on Wednesday when the female population take-over the bars and clubs for the evening and only the bravest males venture out!
The procession re-forms again and returns to Market Place via Bleachfield Road and High Street to the Market Square for ceremony of the Casting of the Colours; In turn the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer followed by those of the Weavers, Merchants, Fleshers, Colonials, and ex-soldiers cast their flags to the tune "Up wi' the Souters".
The ex-soldiers standard is dipped at the end of his/her performance, there follows a Two Minutes Silence to honour the towns War Dead, broken by the Silver band playing the haunting ballad "The Liltin".
It comes from the settlement of a legal dispute in the 18th century, which ensured Langholm people certain common rights (e.g. the digging of peat) within set boundaries.
Although not originally ridden to check the boundaries, horses are an extremely important part of the Common Riding and the traditions that have built up around it over the years.
On Common Riding Day, the last Friday in July, after the Cornet receives the flag, there are three Cryings of the Fair: two outside Langholm Town Hall and one on Whita Hill.
Common Riding Day is concluded by returning from the Castleholm to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne", dancing polkas on the A7 trunk road, handing back the flag and finally singing of "God Save The Queen".
The ceremony originally was held on Ascension Day, when the lands, crops, and affairs of the Burgh were blessed, and the health of the monarch was toasted.
With a few alterations where land was sold, the Cornet leads his followers around the Marches of the Royal Burgh of Lauder with a halt for refreshments at the Waterin Stane and a Toast to Her Majesty.
In recent times "Tom Waldies bridge", the Waterin' Stane and the Burgess Cairn have been repaired and improved to ensure the smooth running of the common riding.
[6] The Linton Whipman is installed and invested with his sash of office on the Friday evening before the first Saturday in June and leads a mounted procession through the village.
The Braw Lads' Gathering was established in 1930 to celebrate the town's history, and in particular commemorates an event in 1337 where Gala men defeated English soldiers in a field of sour plums, the marriage in 1503 of King James IV of Scotland to Margaret Tudor of England, the granting of a burgh charter to the town, and the sacrifices made by local people in World War I.
The cavalcade then crosses the River Tweed and stops for a reception at Abbotsford House, before riding back to the town, where the Braw Lass mixes red and white roses, commemorating the 1503 marriage.
Finally, the party proceeds to the town's war memorial where, as the clock strikes noon, the Braw Lad dips the flag in a mark of respect to fallen soldiers, and a period of silence is held.
After the common riding, the Captain and Lass undertake a memorial ride for the Royal Mile to re-enact Randolph Murray, Captain of the City Band, returning from the battle of Flodden bearing the recovered Blue Blanket of the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh, with the news that Scotland has been defeated and the death of King James IV.
