Other Local Ride Outs and Rideouts

28 Jul

Border Common Ridings & Rideouts (Horse Ceremonies)

Every summer, towns in the Scottish Borders (and nearby areas) uphold centuries-old riding traditions. Below are the major Common Ridings, Rideouts, and related ceremonies organised by month (no specific dates), with links to official pages where available:

May

Berwick-upon-Tweed Riding of the Bounds – Annual cavalcade around Berwick’s historic boundaries, held around May Day (organised by Berwick Riders Association) .

June

West Linton Whipman Play – One of the Borders’ oldest festivals (est. 1803) with the installation of a “Whipman” and rideout in early June .
Hawick Common Riding – The first (and one of the largest) Border ridings, commemorating the 1514 Hornshole skirmish. Features the famous horseback chase and Banner Blue ceremony .
Selkirk Common Riding – Among the oldest ridings (dating back 400+ years), known for the casting of the colours ceremony in the town square to honour Selkirk’s fallen at Flodden . (See Selkirk Common Riding on Facebook for updates)
Yetholm Festival Week – Village festival in Kirk Yetholm with a mid-June rideout to the legendary Stob Stanes, led by the Bari Gadgi and Bari Manushi (local principals) .
Melrose Festival – Week-long festival (third week of June) celebrating Melrose’s history, including a Monday evening rideout led by the Melrosian and the crowning of the festival queen at Melrose Abbey .
Peebles Beltane Festival – Historic March Riding and Beltane Queen crowning held in late June, continuing a tradition revived in 1897 to mark summer’s return .
Galashiels Braw Lads’ Gathering – Annual gathering (late June) with multiple rideouts and ceremonies commemorating Galashiels’ local legends and the marriage of James IV to Margaret Tudor .

July

Jethart (Jedburgh) Callant’s Festival – A two-week festival in Jedburgh with several rideouts (early July), commemorating events like the 1575 Redeswire Raid. Led by the Callant, it culminates in Festival Day on the Friday.
Duns Summer Festival (Reiver’s Week) – A week of community events in Duns (mid-July) honouring the town’s history. Includes multiple rideouts led by the Reiver and Reiver’s Lass, finishing with a main ride to nearby historic sites . (See Duns Summer Festival on Facebook for details)
Kelso Civic Week – Community festival (late July) featuring numerous rideouts around Kelso (including a ride to Yetholm) led by the Kelso Laddie and his supporters . Concludes with a grand civic ball.

August

Lauder Common Riding – Annual riding of Lauder’s marches (early August), a tradition dating to the 1600s and revived in 1911. Marked by a relaxed atmosphere and dances in the streets on Common Riding day .
Coldstream Civic Week – The last of the Border ridings (early/mid-August), organised by Coldstream’s Presenting Coldstream committee. Features three rideouts – the highlight being Flodden Day, when riders cross into England to honour those fallen in 1513 on Branxton Hill . (See Coldstream Riders Association via social media for info)

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