| Where: | Galashiels, Borders |
| When: | Saturday nearest June 30th |
| Time: | From 8am until 8pm. |
Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering is a traditional Borders festival with a plethora of commemorative aspects to it. Beginning at 8am, the braw Lad recieves the Flag and leads a cavalcade to the Raid Stone, marking the victory of local lads over the English back in 1337 – the Sassenachs were ambushed while they ate local plums and to this day Soor Plums are given by the girls to their lads in the ceremony.After marking the local boundaries the group reassembles for the Mixing of the Roses at the old Town Cross at 10.30, commemorating the marrage of Margaret Tudor the English princess, to King James IV – the couple were betrothed at Galashiels. Further rides then take place around town then the cavalcade heads to the War Memorial where the Callant dips his flag in memory of the fallen at noon.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should take place on Saturday June 28th.
Printed programmes are available at newsagents in town with full details of times, places and faces.
Click her for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Braw-Lads-Gathering-103203263870610/
Click here for the event website : https://www.thebrawladsgathering.co.uk
Click here for more on the town and surrounding area:https://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/galashiels.asp
I am ex Gala lad born and bred.now living in South Africa.Please forward details for2014 ref overseas visitor.Many Thanks.
Hi Denis,
Thanks for getting in touch! I’ve passed your contact details on to Hazel Newlands who is the Clerk to the Gathering so she should be in touch with you soon.Hope you have a great time!
Best wishes,
Averil
hi im an avid horserider and i have been wondering how can i ride on gala day i have not got my own horse but im eleven i have been riding for three years
Hi!I’ve passed your question on to Hazel Newlands who is the Clerk to the Gathering and lives in Galashiels – I know the Executive Council keep a list of recomended horse & pony hirers in the area so she should be able to provide you with the up-to-date version together with all the rules about taking part.
Best wishes,
Averil
big pranno and fash will be there for the braw lads gathering – looking forward to it
Keep meaning to come along one year (From Jedburgh)
Can some one tell me how can a get stall for that day please
Hi Gary,
I’ve got an old programme for the Gathering which lists Hazel Newlands as the Clerk for the event- I’ll send you an email with her phone number on (she might not be happy about it appearing on a website) – even if someone else is now the Clerk I expect she’ll be able to find you their contact details.
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi I’m wondering g the same please how do I get a stall there
Hi Brenda,
I’ll email you the old link I have – hopefully it’ll get you to the right place!
Best wishes,
Averil
Looking for the overseas visitors night 2017 information. My contact information is below.
Hi Peter,
It’s on June 29th this year and on the downloadable list of all the events for this year it says to contact Hazel Newlands the clerk (you can find the programme of events at http://returntotheridings.co.uk/galashiels-braw-lads/ if you click the link for Braw Lads Gathering 2017 events. If you haven’t got contact details for Hazel Newlands I can email you her phone number (don’t want to put it up on my website in case she’s not happy about that!)
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi where can I buy black n white rosettes for the Gala Day?
Hi Gillian,
You’re through to calendarcustoms rather than the organisers of Gala Day – if you follow the link to the Facebook page for the event at https://www.facebook.com/Braw-Lads-Gathering-103203263870610/ I’m sure someone will be able to advise on where to get them (I’m not from Gala myself!)
Best wishes,
Averil
Hi,
Could you please direct me to a contact person regarding sponsorship of the Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering?
thank you.
Julie
Hi Julie,
If you follow the link to https://www.facebook.com/Braw-Lads-Gathering-103203263870610/ you can send a message direct to the organisers – best of luck!
Averil
Hi, I am in school and we are about to do a writing competition about the Gala day, I moved here near the end of P5 and have never had the chance to go so I know little about this important day in Galashiels. Could you please give me some reliable links that I can follow to learn about Braw Lad’s day?
Thank you very much!
Hi Alyssa,
Thanks for your message. I’d recommend you head to the event’s own website at https://www.thebrawladsgathering.co.uk and also have a look at their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Braw-Lads-Gathering-103203263870610/ You’ll find lots on the history of the event and the way that it’s celebrated now, and some great photos. Hopefully that will help bring you up to speed on the Gathering- and with a bit of luck you’ll be able to see it for yourself next year (though sadly that won’t help with your current assignment!). Best of luck in the competition,
Averil.
Hi there. I am looking for a contact for the clerk of the event please. Many thanks. Rachel
Hi Rachel,
I haven’t got a direct contact number for her, but the clerk of the Gathering is Mrs Hazel Hunter and if you follow the link to https://www.thebrawladsgathering.co.uk/contact-committee you’ll find a general contact form for the committee Office Bearers which should get through to the right place. Hope that helps!
Averil