Scottish Borders Common Riding Tradition: 2018 Season Set To Begin

Towns across the Scottish Borders are about to begin the annual season of Common Ridings and festivals. Common Riding is an annual event celebrated in Scottish Border towns and other locations. It is a tradition that dates back to the lawless times of the 13th and 14th centuries. Being on the border there was not only the continual land border wars with England to contend with, but the need for protection against other clans. It was necessary in those times for riders to protect the clan's boundaries, or "marches". These were dangerous undertakings and those performing this task often put their lives at risk to protect their town and people.

The Common Ridings that take place today are a celebration of each Scottish Border town's history and tradition. They take place at this time of year over a period from late May into June, July and the beginning of August. In contrast to the past they are now fun events and can involve many riders, often dressed in costume. It is also combined with a season of festivals in the Scottish Borders. The Border Telegraph has now given a schedule of many of these events:

Tweedbank Fair Week: May 26-June 2

Tweedbank Fancy Dress Parade - May 30 - 7pm

Tweedbank Fruit and Flower Parade - June 2 - 12.45pm

Hawick Common Riding: June 7-9

Hawick Common Riding Day - June 8 - 8.30am

West Linton Whipman Play: June 1-9

West Linton Whipman Fancy Dress Parade - June 1 - 8pm

West Linton Whipman Ride Out - June 2 - 10am

Biggar Gala Week: June 10-16

Biggar Gala Week Riding - June 10

Biggar Gala Day - June 16

Selkirk Common Riding: June 11-15

Selkirk Common Riding Day - June 15 - 6am

Peebles Beltane Week: June 17-23

Peebles Beltane Inaugural Service - June 17 - 6pm

Peebles Beltane Installation Ceremony - June 20 - 6.15pm

Peebles Beltane Red Letter Day - June 23 - 10am

Melrose Festival Week: June 17-23

Melrose Festival Melrosian Ride Out - June 18 - 6pm

Melrose Festival Fancy Dress Parade - June 19 - 7.30pm

Melrose Festival Crowning of Queen - June 21 - 8pm

Galashiels Braw Lads’ Gathering: June 22-July 1

Galashiels Braw Lads Fancy Dress Parade - June 27 - 7.15pm

Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering Day - June 30 - 7.30am

Walkerburn Summer Festival: June 24-30

Jedburgh Jethart Callants Festival: June 24-July 15

Jedburgh Jethart Callants Festival Day - July 13 - 8am

Jedburgh  Jethart Callants Festival Fancy Dress Parade - July 13 - 6pm

Duns Summer Festival: July 1-7

Duns Summer Festival - Duns Law and Bruntons Rideout - July 3 - 5.45pm

Duns Summer Festival - Carnival Parade - July 7 - 5.30pm

Earlston Civic Week: July 1-7

Earlston Civic Week Fancy Dress Parade - July 7 - 1pm

Earlston Civic Week Torchlight Parade - July 7 - 10.15pm

Innerleithen St Ronan’s Games Week: July 14-21

Innerleithen Fancy Dress Parade - July 19 - 7pm

Innerleithen Cleikum Ceremonies - July 20 - 7pm

Kelso Civic Week: July 15-21

Kelso Civic Week Colour Bussing - July 18

Kelso Civic Week Common Riding (Yetholm Ride) - July 21

Lauder Common Riding: July 29-August 4

Lauder Common Riding Fancy Dress Parade - August 1 - 7.30pm

Lauder Common Riding Day - August 4 - All day

Coldstream Civic Week: August 6-10