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