Hail Smiling Morn: Sun shines on Selkirk Common Riding
Last updated 17th Jun 2023
It commemorates the return of a single surviving soldier after the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
Crowds gathered in Selkirk's Market Place on Friday to watch the Casting of the Colours ceremony - one of the highlights of the town's Common Riding.
Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Thomas Bell led this year’s festivities - with an estimate of more than 200 horses and riders joining him on a sun-drenched ride round the boundaries of the town.
The 27-year-old golf course manager received the Burgh flag from his dad Graeme - the Senior Burgh Officer - during an earlier ceremony at the town's Victoria Halls.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio before a sing-song at the Three Brethren, Bell said: "It still feels like a dream.
"My dad giving me the flag was a special moment; I'm so proud, so honoured.
When asked how he was feeling, Bell added: "Absolutely amazing, hard to describe. You couldn't have asked for a better day for it."
Extra buckets of water were put out to keep horses - and riders - cool during the rideout, as temperatures soared.
Reflecting on the day, Selkirk Provost Keith Miller said: "I can't remember the last time it was like this; somebody told me it was 1992, but I don't know if that's true or not."
But he added: "They (the Principals) have done a great job; I'm just pleased to see everything went well, especially on such a hot day.
"The atmosphere is much more upbeat this year, it's as if we're now just taking Covid as a part of life and just get on with it - and it's great. When you stand up on that stage and you see these thousands of people, and there are smiles on the faces, that's enough for me."
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