 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
berwick, self-catering, holiday, cottage, northumberland, holy-island, lindisfarne, pilgrim, borders, northumbria, coast, tweed, castles, farnes, seabirds, fishing, golf, sailing, diving, walking, cycling, holiday accommodation berwick upon tweed
PEEBLES BELTANE WEEK - with Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 the burgh revived the old ceremony of riding the marches, linking it with the Beltane Fair, which traced its origins to a charter granted by James VI in 1621. Beltane signifies the fire of Bell or Baal and originated from the pagan Celtic festival in honour of the power which in early summer gave light, warmth and growth. Fires were lit and games held. Following an inaugural service on the Sunday a week of events takes place with children’s sports, disco, Beltane concert and a fancy dress parade just some of the highlights. Wednesday evening sees the installation of the Cornet followed by the Riding of the Marches and a ceremony at Neidpath Castle where the Cornet is given a welcome by the Warden of Neidpath. The mounted procession leaves for the River Tweed and following a series of horse races the evening ends with the dancing of the Cornet’s Reel in the High Street. Festival Day on the Saturday, after an early morning rideout, begins with the proclamation of the historic Beltane Fair and the crowning of the Beltane Queen, followed by a grand procession around the town. Sports and Highland dancing are held in the afternoon and the festival ends with Beating of Retreat.
SELKIRK COMMON RIDING is at least 400 years old and stems back to the time of the "Burleymen", Burgh Law men who had the task of ensuring no one was encroaching on the town’s common lands. In 1513, 80 men from Selkirk followed James IV into battle at Flodden. Only one, Fletcher, survived to return, weary and wounded. but bearing a captured English flag which he raised aloft and then cast to the ground. The Flodden legend came to be associated with the Common Riding, with the Royal Standard Bearer as the central figure and the casting of the colours the main ceremony.
Proceedings begin on the Thursday with "crying the burley" as riders are summoned to attend. The bussing of the flags follow. Various trades and corporations are represented, each with their own standard bearer, who join the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer the next day. The town rises early to follow the band and witness the bussing of the Burgh Flag. The Riding of the Marches, which involves fording the River Ettrick, lasts about four and a half hours and the riders return to the Market Place for the solemn casting of the colours. The Burgh Flag is returned to the Provost and celebrations continue onto the next day with horse racing, gymkhana, Highland dancing and professional games.
WEST LINTON WHIPMAN PLAN. Whipman is the old Scots word for carter or carrier, and the story of the Linton play began in 1803 when the Whipmen Benevolent Society, providing mutual aid to its members, held their annual meeting. The Whipman of Linton paid formal visits to local mansions and the rest of the day, one of the few holidays of the year, was devoted to sporting activities, a gathering which was styled "The Whipman Play". Unbroken celebrations continued until 1914, to be restarted after the war, only to be curtailed again in 1939.