| Where: | Edinburgh starting at Lang Loan Road and finishing at the Mercat Cross |
| When: | Sunday in early to mid September |
| Time: | 10.30am- 3.30pm |
The Riding of the Marches in Edinburgh is a modern revival of a boundary-marking custom dating back to at least the sixteenth century and is a typical Scottish Lowlands Common Riding event. The ride also commemorates the fallen of the Battle of Flodden and part of the route passes by the Flodden Wall , built to keep the English out of the city after the defeat of King James IV in 1513. It is intended that the Riding will be annual and it is currently evolving having been reinstated in 2009. The cavalcade of around 250 horses and riders is led by the Edinburgh Captain and Edinburgh Lass amidst bands, banners, standards and flags and the procession marching up the Royal Mile is a memorable sight – by around 3.30 the riders will be in the Holyrood Park area ready to enter the city centre. Look out for the Blue Blanket, a replica of the ancient banner used to summon the Scots to war .A civic reception meets at about 4pm at the Mercat Cross to welcome the riders home, including representatives of the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh with their flags. While the crowd awaits the arrival of the riders, there are bands, pipers and the City Guard re-enactment group to keep everyone entertained. The ceremony incorporates a minutes’ silence in memory of the fallen, while the banners are lowered by the Principals atop the Mercat Cross.
Helpful Hints
In 2024 it was on Sunday September 15th- 2025 details are yet to be announced. Riders need to register in advance (see link below) but anyone can watch.
Programmes are available from street sellers on the day (£2 in 2015).
Click here for the event website : https://edinburghridingofthemarches.com
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Edinburgh-March-Riding-Association-170724749639025/
hi
i work in a nursing home we brought 3 residents and 3 carers out to watch the march last year we also had a visit to our home from the captain and Lass
before the day i was looking do do the same thing this year we where in the VIP area at parliament square
Louise Ruse
Hi Louise,
Your message has come through to calendarcustoms rather than to the organisers of the Ride – follow this link and you’ll get the contacts page for the event: http://www.edinburghridingthemarches.co.uk/contact/
and I expect you’ll be able to get your places sorted out. Hope you all have a good time!
Best wishes,
Averil
Am I on list
Hi Andrew,
Your message has come through to calendar customs – I’m guessing you intended to contact the organisers of the Edinburgh Riding – if you follow this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-edinburgh-riding-of-the-marches-2018-tickets-43516800923 and scroll down to just above the map, there’s a contact form to fill in which should get your message through. Or you could contact the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Edinburgh-March-Riding-Association-170724749639025/ and message them that way. Hope you sort it!
Averil