United call for global-Borderers to ’Return to the Ridings’

For the first time, the historic Border Common Ridings & Festivals are uniting to launch a major initiative as part of Scotland’s first Homecoming celebrations. The centuries old Scottish Borders Common Ridings & Festivals are joining together to support Scotland’s first national Homecoming celebration by issuing a joint invitation to Border folk around the globe to Return to the Ridings in 2009.
  

First Minister Alex Salmond, said:"Homecoming 2009 promises to be an extraordinary celebration of Scotland’s great contributions to the world. I’m delighted to extend the invitation to Border Scots throughout the world to return to their Common Ridings & Festivals and join a series of coordinated ancient festivals across Scottish Border towns.

Since the beginning of the 16th Century, Common Ridings & Festivals have formed an integral part of Scottish Borders tradition. Common Riding is an annual celebration that involves townsfolk in a grand ‘ride-out’ around the town boundaries.

In total, 11 towns in the Scottish Borders   use horses for the ride out. The events are friendly, heart-stirring and steeped in local history, including rousing music and song specific to each town.  Visitors are always made welcome and will soon find themselves joining in – whether it’s linking arms as the procession moves through the town or cheering the stunning displays of horsemanship as the riders gallop back into the town.

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