Common Riding
Spectacle, Pageant and Good Fun...
Cultural and social aspects of life common only to the Scottish Borders still flourish today, marking the region as distinct within Scotland and creating a seperate cultural identity for each town within the region. The area is famous for its spectacular 'Common Ridings' a series of pageants, which celebrate historic events and times when community boundaries had to be protected from invaders.
Now they are great celebrations of horsemanship. The town of Selkirk claims that its Common Riding is the largest mounted gathering anywhere in Europe. The riders, cavalcades of horsemen and women from each town, regularly 'Ride the Marches', the ancient town boundaries, redefining and reinforcing their individual historic and cultural idendity.
The events may seem insular to outsiders but they act as a positive force, creating common bonds and loyalties which distinguish Borderers as unique within Scotland
For more information visit the external website for Scotland's National Tourist Board.
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