| Where: | Hawick, Borders near the Tower Hotel, High Street and racecourse |
| When: | Friday after 1st Monday in June |
| Time: | From 6 am onwards with Rideout at 8.30, racng from 12.30, return to town 4.30 (ish!) |
Hawick Common Riding is the first of the border festivals in the season and as well as marking the boundaries it commemorates the 1514 capture of the English flag by a local youth. After a series of build-up events, the main Ride Out takes place on the Friday. Snuff is distributed at 6am before the main party take breakfast together and ride out led by the Cornet and his flag. Races take place during the afternoon before the party return to town accompanied by the fife & drum band for the reading of the Proclamation and a final rousing rendition of “Teribus” at the plinth on Mill Path.Expect flag waving, special songs and music, decorated shop fronts and literally hundreds of equestrians. A dinner and ball follow during the evening (for ticketholders only).
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Friday June 6th.
There’s also a host of activities during the days around the Friday including other rideouts , further racing on the Saturday and more (check website for details).
When we went in 2014 the riders arrived back in town way behind schedule as there was such a huge turnout of equestrians for the quincentenary ride – it takes longer to get 500 horses and riders around the route- so times are flexible. Buy a programme for the full list of events if you can – apparently they often sell out early so if they’ve run out, visit Tower Mill at the southwest end of the High Street and they’ll give you a map of the town and a photocopy of the timetable for the festival. Lots of the shops and businesses around town close all day or early on the Friday & Saturday.
Click here for the excellent event website – all you need to know about the current festival and its history :http://www.hawickcommonriding.co.uk
and here for the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HawickCommonRiding/
Years and dates need sorted on website☺
Hi Mac,
Thanks for getting in touch. I’ve just checked and the date of Friday 7th June 2019 exactly matches what’s on the official website for the event – under Helpful Hints I’ve got “In 2019 it will be on Friday June 7th. There’s also a host of activities during the days around the Friday including other rideouts , further racing on the Saturday and more (check website for details).” and on their site it says “Dates for 2019 – Thursday 6, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 June” which tallies. Their Rideouts page hasn’t been updated yet from last year so maybe that’s what you’ve seen? I expect they’ll have the full programme on site soon.
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi can you advise where I can hire a horse for the common ride.
Nd cost of attending the event
Best regards
Amanda igoe
Hi Amanda,
Your message is through to calendarcustoms.com – we don’t have any connection with the running of the Riding so I’d advise making contact with the organisers of the event as they should be able to advise the current costs and recommend the best stables to hire from – you can contact them direct at http://hawickcommonriding.co.uk/contact-us/ or through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HawickCommonRiding/
It’s really well organised and I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to help- hope you have a great time!
Best wishes,
Averil