Country Lifestyle Scottish Borders Common Ridings: A Journey into Tradition

What is a Common Riding?

Nestled in the picturesque Scottish Borders region lies a centuries-old tradition that captivates both locals and visitors alike—the Common Riding Festivals. Steeped in history, these annual events celebrate the rich heritage and enduring spirit of the border towns. With their vibrant displays of horsemanship, grand parades, and spirited festivities; the Common Ridings offer a unique window into the region's past and a true taste of Scottish culture.

The History of the Festivals

The Common Ridings trace their origins back to a time when border towns faced constant threats to their territory and freedom. The ‘Riding of the Boundaries’ symbolises the practice of patrolling the town borders to protect against reiving throughout the 13th and 14^th centuries. Many of the festivals also commemorate the men who gave their lives in the battle of Flodden in 1513 . Hawick in particular, the first in the calendar and oldest of these ancient traditions, celebrates the victory of the Battle of Hornshole 1514 – where the youth of Hawick stormed a nearby a camp of English soldiers who were preparing to invade the town following the deaths of near all the men of Hawick the year before at Flodden. Today, the practice of marking the boundaries has evolved into an occasion for locals to honour their heritage, commemorate the past and the people who lost their lives as well as reinforcing the community bonds that shape our small towns.

What happens at a Common Riding?

Each town’s festival is unique, but all similarly elect one individual to lead the festival. In Hawick and Langholm, this is the Cornet and Cornet’s Lass. In Galashiels they have a Braw lad and Lass, Selkirk has a Standard Bearer and Kelso has a Kelso Laddie. Being elected is a huge honour and requires being at the forefront of the entire festival, and often for 2 more consecutive years as left and right hand man to the principal. Leading up to the main festivities, are weekly ride outs where you can see hundreds of horses embark on a riding route which emulates the ‘riding of the boundaries’. Often this is a whole family affair, with the riders taking part in the ride and the rest of the family joining them halfway for a rest and a picnic. It is a stirring sight to witness the horseback procession, with riders donning smart hacking jackets, often in the tweed and tartan and horses dressed in ribbons. Ride outs are fast paced and thrilling - a true test of horsemanship. They take place over moorland terrain, wind through woods, up and over local hillsides and wide open scapes that stretch for miles. The feeling of galloping aside hundreds of fellow horses in unison is truly something a keen equestrian enthusiast should experience at least once in their lives. Upon return to the towns, the horseback procession is often marched in by a brass band playing the songs that have been played since the festivals began over a hundred years ago. The Common Ridings are not limited to horseback parades alone—these events are accompanied by a host of lively festivities and pageantry which include the whole family. Each town boasts its unique traditions, but common elements include concerts, church services, children’s sport days and formal balls.

Challenging Times

Common Ridings have experienced their fair share of challenging times over the past century. From war, Foot and Mouth Disease and most recently the Covid-19 pandemic, the spirit of the festivals have always remained steadfast and waited patiently to return. This embodies the pride of Border’s town and to continue their legacy. The notable gaps in the celebrations between 1939-1945 serve as a haunting reminder of the sacrifice that the nation made for our freedom. Throughout each generation, the Common Ridings offer a chance for locals to demonstrate their unity and maintain their shared heritage as they come together to celebrate a universal cause. In the face of social transformations and industrialization, the Common Ridings have remained a self-expression of local identity and their survival is a testament to the perseverance of Scottish Borders communities.

Preserving Tradition

The Scottish Borders Common Ridings carry the weight of centuries of history and tradition, allowing both participants and spectators to glimpse into their town’s rich past. These events serve as both a vibrant and reflective celebration of their Scottish heritage, and why it is imperative that the traditions are carried on to future generations as much as possible.