AN OLD SCOTTISH CUSTOM.

Evening Star, Issue 14987, 21 September 1912, Page 8

AN OLD SCOTTISH CUSTOM.

The old ceremony known as " common riding," or the " riding of the marches," took place at Lang-holm recently with the usual quaint ceremonial. At half-past five in tho morning a hound race or trail took place over a course of about 10 miles .near the town for a silver cup and £B. This old and popular Border sport brought ont a. very large gathering of spectators. At halfpast eight thero was a large gathering of horsemen at the Town Hall, where the town's flag was presented to the co-met. The cornet, supported by past cornets and many other riders, and accompanied by the town band, paraded the burgh, and before tho cavalcade commenced the rough and steep ascent to the Castle Crags, on the summit of Whita Hill, Mr C. Elliot, standing on horseback, made the first proclamation, calling on the lieges to go out in defence of their properties and see " gif a' oor marches they be clear." The riders were absent from the town about an hour and a-half. On the hill they were regaled with barley bannocks and " saut herrin'." On returning to the town they were joined in procession by several hundred children flourishing heather besoms, while men carried aloft a monster thistle, a floral crown, a spade bedecked with heather, and a barley bannock with a herring nailed to it. Various sods were cut at particular points, and the rest of the day was devoted to horse races, sports, and dancing.