Riding of the Marches

Last month marked the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches’ 10th anniversary of the modern day revival. Donald Photography went along to photograph the occasion!

This is equestrian event is reminiscent of the practices from the 13th- 15th centuries in Scotland. Hundreds of riders now ride along their city borders, as Border families and clans would have done to protect their lands from rades, looters, the English and other warring Scottish clans. The Traditional recreations of these Marches occurs across the country between April and September, with Edinburgh’s celebrations occurring in early September.

Reenactments began as early as the 16th and 18th centuries, with a special reenactment to celebrate the end of World War II. Yet it became an annual event from 2009. This year commemorated the 10th Anniversary of the Marches. Riders marched round the city’s Borders. This represents the ‘inspection of common land.  Equestrians then return to the Royal Mile towards the Mercat Cross where the Lord Provost, High Constables and other city officials await them. This journey is reminiscent of that which Randolph Murray took as he returned from a loss at the battle of Flodden. He came to the city bearing the Blue Blanket, with the news that Scotland has been defeated and the death of King James IV. The city flag is lowered and importantly a moment’s silence takes place for all those lost in the Flodden War and all wars since.

The horses and the ceremony attract large crowds from Edinburgh and afar. The whole event is commentated by ‘the voice of the Tattoo’ himself, Alasdair Hutton O.B.E and musically accompanied by Pipe Bands.

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