Beltane - The Ride-out

Just as a wee change from New Zealand today, here are a few photos from our local festival here in Peebles. Wednesday night is the night the Cornet and his supporters ride round the town boundaries. Historically it was to check that no-one had encroached on common land and that all was well. The Beltane ceremonial ride-out began in the 19th century at the beginning of May each year. Later it was changed to June, during the nearest week before mid-summer - really the equinox, and what is more accurately the beginning of summer! The leader of the procession of horse riders is called the Cornet in our festival and this is Colin, the 2008 Cornet looking as if he is enjoying himself as he carries the town standard, with its ribbons naming previous Cornets, up the road to the first stop at Neidpath Castle, where he and his supporters are welcomed by the Warden of Neidpath. Unfotunately I was at work tonight and only managed to take photos as the horses rode past the shop.


Colin has been charged with carrying the standard round the boundaries of the town and to return it "untarnished and unsullied, one year hence", and was wished the traditional "Safe oot. Safe in!"

There is lots of waving and cheering as they pass the crowds lining the way to see them! "Hur-ray!" the riders shout and "Hur-ray!" the crowd shouts back!

The riders come in all shapes and sizes as do the horses and ponies.

This little guy seems to be having fun.

and this lass looks happy! The ribbons denote all the ride-outs she has been on, not just at our own festival but at the other Common Ridings, in towns throughout the Scottish Borders. She's quite an experienced rider-out, it would seem. I expect those ribbons go back a year or two!!

Another experienced rider is Linda who also sports lots of ribbons Tonight she had a bit of a problem with a horse that wanted not to trot straight forward, but to dance sideways, which probably explains Linda's concentrated expression.

Of course, a procession in Scotland isn't complete without a pipe band, so here are a few photos of the pipes and drums of Peebles.

And this is the town's Silver band who also took part in tonight's proceedings!

So there we are now. I didn't get to see the important ceremonies tonight, the welcome at Neidpath, the fording of the river Tweed as the riders return from the ride-out, the horse races to end the day, the presentation of the trophies and cups to the winners of the races and the dancing of an Eightsome reel by the Cornet, his Lass and his supporters in the High Street accompanied by the pipe band, but despite the rain that came on later I expect all were enjoyed by those present! Maybe next year again!

Goodnight!

Talk again soon.