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The annual Common Ridings and Festivals held in each town are survivals of the old practice of riding the town’s boundaries to preserve burgh rights and to prevent encroachment by neighbouring landlords. Long after they ceased to be essential, they continued in commemoration of local legend, history and tradition.
Community spirit is symbolised by the Burgh Flag or Standard, which in a colourful ceremony is "bussed" - that is 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 principals are elected annually and honoured with such titles as Standard Bearer, Cornet, Callant, Braw Lad, Reiver. On horseback they lead their followers in the festivities. Old songs and tunes are played, banners waved and local pride expressed.
COLDSTREAM CIVIC WEEK was inaugurated in1952 and begins on a Sunday with the investiture of the Coldstreamer, the principal figure in the celebrations, and the bussing of the Burgh Flag. A week’s activities follow with rideouts, gymkhana, sports and parades. The highlight of the week on the Thursday is the ride to the Flodden Memorial to commemorate the dead of 1513. Wreaths are laid, a short service held and an oration delivered by a guest speaker. Friday evening sees a torchlight procession and firework display. The Civic Week ends on the Saturday with horse racing, fancy dress parade, the return of the Burgh flag and Beating Retreat.
DUNS SUMMER FESTIVAL was instituted in 1949 to commemorate the town’s history and traditions in a week of sports, concerts, rideouts and parades. On Monday night the Burgh Flag is handed to the Reiver for safekeeping and the next evening he leads his mounted followers to the summit of Duns Law for a short service and oration by a guest speaker. Here in 1639 General Leslie’s covenanting army encamped to oppose Charles I who was preparing to cross the River Tweed and enforce a form of religion which the Scots found unacceptable. Wednesday is children’s day with the crowning of "the Wynsome Mayde o’ Dunse" in the Public Park. Friday sees the traditional game of handba’’, played between the married men and bachelors of the town. The final ceremonies the next day include the Riding of the Parish Bounds, athletics, fancy dress parade the return of the Burgh Flag to the Provost.
GALASHIELS BRAW LADS GATHERING was established in 1930 to celebrate the town’s history. Preliminary events precede the main ceremonies on the Saturday which begin with the Braw Lad receiving the Burgh Flag and leading his mounted supporters to the Raid Stane. Here in 1337 Gala lads killed English raiders in a field of wild plums. The stream ran red with blood and "soor plooms" became the Burgh emblem. The ride continues with a crossing the Tweed to Abbotsford and a return to the Old Town cross where the creation of Galashiels as a Burgh of Barony in 1599 is recalled.