Each Borders town celebrates its history once a year during June - August with magnificent rideouts involving hundreds of horses, ridden with a passion worthy of the reivers old.

Community spirit is symbolised by the Burgh Flag or Standard, which in a colourful ceremony is 'bussed' where ribbons are tied to the staff by the principal lass, recalling the days when a knight's lady attached her ribbon to his lance before battle. The principal men are elected annually and honoured with such titles as Standard Bearer (Selkirk), Cornet (Hawick), Callant (Jedburgh), Braw Lad (Galashiels), Reiver (Duns), Whipman (West Linton), Melrosian (Melrose), Coldstreamer (Coldstream) and Kelso Laddie. On horseback they lead their followers in the festivities.
More information can be found on the Return to the Ridings website, or the Homecoming 2009 website.