Common Ridings - Hawick

Festival Location: Hawick, Scotland

Festival Type(s): Traditional Festivals , National Festivals , Parties

The Common Ridings of the Scottish Border

by © Paul Dodson 2008

For centuries the Scottish border towns of Hawick, Jedburgh, Lauder and Selkirk have been keeping a watchful eye on their southern neighbours, the ever-so-meddlesome English. In years past these Common Ridings of the Scottish border were horseback patrols to ensure those southerners knew where their boundary ended and the Scottish frontier began.

And whilst todays events are for the most part close re-enactments to those of yesteryear, a greater emphasis has been placed on the civic rituals attached to the ceremony and drinking yourself to oblivion, rather than keeping the vexatious English at bay.

Events include the colour bussing - where the town provost hands over the flag to the Cornet (the chief rider) with the words "safe oot, safe in" and the best lass ties a ribbon in the towns colours to the flag - you know it makes sense. The morning ride which sees a slightly inebriated bunch of locals and try-hards on horseback dashing along the town's narrow alleyways - quite patently a recipe for disaster. And for those with a touch more chic, there's the black tie, Common Ridings Ball where participant's past antics have reached mythical renown.

So if you enjoy your festivities with more than a touch of historical significance, set to a drum and fife band beat and you think you an handle the traditional curds 'n' cream (rum and milk) before breakfast (and that's just for starters) head for the Scottish border the first weekend in June. Hell, even you English are welcome to take part in these celebrations!

by Paul Dodson