The Scottish Borders

A long-standing tradition, Scottish Common Riding is an equestrian tradition that takes place in the Scottish Borders region dating back to the 13th to 15th centuries, when the local Scottish sought to patrol and protect their border from the English.

Each Borders town will host their own rideouts during their festival week, sometimes even reenacting historic rideouts. These rideouts also served to prevent “reiving” (cattle thieving) between rival Scottish clans. Long after these rides ceased to be essential, the ridings continued in commemoration of local history and legend, and are devoted to pageantry, singing, and unique traditions centered around equestrian events.