Edinburgh Riding of the Marches

Name: Edinburgh Riding of the Marches
Start: 2025-09-14T09:30:00+01:00
End: 2025-09-14T17:00:00+01:00
Location: Edinburgh's Royal Mile

Schedule

Sun Sep 14 2025 at 09:30 am to 05:00 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Edinburgh's Royal Mile | Edinburgh, SC

Join us for a celebration of citizens from Edinburgh's past, present and future, at the 2025 Edinburgh Riding of the Marches on Sunday 14th September.
The annual event is a re-enactment of the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches and all its associated traditions, commemorating Randolph Murray’s return with the ancient Blue Blanket and the tragic news of the defeat of the Scottish Army at the Battle of Flodden.
The ancient Edinburgh custom of 'Riding the Marches' dates back as far as 1579, when townsfolk were ordered to meet at the Provost's house and, accompanied by the City Guard, set off on horseback to inspect the marches (boundaries) of the City's Common Land (that belonged to the 'common people' ) to check it was not being built upon by the Landed Gentry.
Edinburgh’s last recorded riding of this period took place at 8am on 15th April 1718.
**A fantastic day out for all the family, this event is FREE to watch!
Come out and wave the horses by as they pass along the riding route, starting at 9.30am, from the outskirts of Edinburgh (the route will be published nearer the time) and then head to the Royal Mile from 12.30pm to enjoy the entertainment, including pipe bands, historical re-enactment displays, ceilidh dancing and lots more, before the arrival of the 280 horses at 3.30pm**
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A bit more background information:
- The modern-day re-enactment started in 2009 and is organised entirely by a team of volunteers, who form the Edinburgh March Riding Association ('EMRA'), who fundraise all year round in order to put on the event.
- EMRA is also a registered Scottish Charity (SC041202), that also carries out community outreach activities, including visits to schools, community centres and retirement homes, taking horses and ponies along for all to meet (which we hire from Tower Farm Riding Stables in Edinburgh) and raise funds to provide opportunities for children and young adults in Edinburgh to benefit from riding therapy and learning.
- The tradition of “Riding the Marches” or “Common Riding” as it is known in the Scottish Borders, is thought to date as far back as the twelfth century when Scottish towns were granted a charter, in effect creating the birth of the town. One of the conditions attached was that the Burgesses of the town were required to examine their March or boundary stones every year and report back that all was well or not, the annual inspections generally took place on horseback.
- Common Riding, a uniquely Scottish tradition, celebrates the custom of defending common land against encroachment and attack from raiders. It has been described as a celebration of who we are and across the 29 Riding Towns of Scotland sparks annual celebrations involving entire communities, passed down through generations of families, with many young boys and girls aspiring to become the Captain or Lass representing their town.
- Most of the 280 riders who take part in the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches are from the 29 Riding Towns of Scotland.
- A number of Scottish towns have records of the annual events dating back to the sixteenth century and have carried on the tradition for centuries. Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Stirling used to “Ride the Marches” but it is in the South of Scotland where the tradition of “Riding the Marches or Common Riding” is strongest with eleven towns in the Scottish Borders and a number of towns in the South West still having annual rides. The tradition is still carried out further North in some Lanarkshire towns, and towns surrounding and bordering Edinburgh. Linlithgow has a rich tradition dating back centuries although the boundaries are not ridden on horseback.
- This event, or any part of its history, is not related to Hunting. You may see some of the riders at the event wearing red jackets, but that is because that is the regalia of that particular town's Principal riders.
- All of the Riding Towns can be identified by their coloured sashes, which are worn over their riding jackets and are often adorned with badges collected throughout the 'common riding season' at their neighbouring towns' festivals.