Enjoy a fun packed and exciting 48 hours in Jedburgh and Kelso (1Mb pdf file) with many spectacular Homecoming events going on like Taste of the Tattoo, Rock at the Racecourse, and In the Footsteps of the Reivers.

Nestling in the valley of the Jed Water, amongst glorious Scottish Border countryside, Jedburgh is a charming market town – perfect for an action packed or a chilled out ’48 hours’.

Just a few miles from Jedburgh, the town of Kelso lies in a beautiful setting where the Tweed and Teviot rivers meet.  The town is renowned for its historical attractions, salmon fishing and equestrian events.  Take a walk through Scotland’s biggest town square, which Sir Walter Scott described as the most romantic, if not the most beautiful place in Scotland.

For more information please visit www.jedburgh.org.uk or www.visitkelso.com

 

Return to the Ridings, one of Homecoming Scotland 2009′s major events, runs from the beginning of June until 8 August 2009. 

Visitors have been invited to join the ancient and awe-inspiring Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals in a coordinated series of events as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009.

 

Since the beginning of the 16th Century, Common Ridings and Festivals have formed an integral part of Scottish Borders tradition.  Common Riding is an annual celebration that involves townsfolk in a grand ‘ride-out’ on horse-back around the town.

The Hawick Common Riding is the first of the Border festivals and celebrates both the capture of an English Flag in 1514 by the youth of Hawick at a place called Hornshole and the ancient custom of riding the marches or boundaries of the common land.  The Hawick Common Riding is steeped in custom and the main Ride-Out on Friday 5 June is definitely not to be missed.

 

During the Homecoming year of 2009, the towns of Hawick, West Linton, Selkirk, Peebles, Melrose, Galashiels, Jedburgh, Duns, Kelso, Lauder and Coldstream join together to celebrate their historic Common Ridings and Festivals.  These 11 towns in the Scottish Borders focus their ride-outs around the use of the horses.  For further information on all these events log on to www.returntotheridings.co.uk.

Each of the towns has their own customs and traditions making for a fantastic spectacle, the highlight being hundreds of riders galloping back through the towns to signify the successful conclusion of checking the boundaries. 

Key Dates for Visitors

1-6 June Hawick Common Riding

Thursday 4 June – Exiled Teries Civic Reception

Friday 5 June – Common Riding Day

5-13th June West Linton Whipman

Saturday 6 June – West Linton Ride Out

8-13 June Selkirk Common Riding

Wednesday 10 June – Colonial Society Reception for Overseas Visitors

Friday 12 June – Selkirk Common Riding Day

14-20 June Peebles Beltane

Wednesday 17 June – Peebles Riding of the Marches

Saturday 20 June – Peebles Celebrations and Ceremonies

14-20 June Melrose Festival

Monday 15 June – Melrose Ride Out

Thursday 18 June – Homecoming Reception

Saturday 20 June – Tour of Ceremonies

19-28 June Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering

Thursday 25 June – Overseas and Civic Reception

Saturday 27 June – Braw Lads Day

27 June – 10th July Jethart Callants Festival

Friday 10 July – Festival Day

5-11 July Duns Summer Festival

Friday 10 July – Hand Ba’ Game

Saturday 11 July – Whitchester Ride and Carnival Parade

13-18 July Kelso Civic Week

Wednesday 15 July – Bussing of the Colours (Flag Ceremony)

Saturday 18 July – Kelso Ride Out

26 Jul-1 Aug Lauder Common Riding

2 August 2009 – Lauder Common Riding Day

2-8 August Coldstream Civic Week

Thursday 6 August – Ride to the Flodden Memorial

 

Every year, Borders Sport and Leisure run a fun, friendly and competitive triathlon series.

There are six triathlons and two duathlons held throughout the summer months (one at each centre).  The six triathlon events are for both competitive athletes (sprint distance) and novices (Come and Tri distance).

The remaining dates for the Sprint (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run) and Come and Tri (400m swim, 10km cycle and 2.5km run) events are:

14 June – Peebles

5 July – Hawick (Tri Scotland ranked event)

9 Aug – Kelso

20 Sept – Eyemouth

 

The remaining duathlon will take place on Sunday, 23 August at the Gytes Leisure Centre, Peebles and is a Tri-Scotland ranked event.  The duathlon consists of a 5km run, 20km cycle and 5km run.

For further information and to register online please visit www.bslt.org.uk

Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrates the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth and the Scottish Borders Homecoming Scotland Programme includes three major events.

Return to the Ridings, a celebration of the centuries old tradition and stunning spectacle of the Border Common Ridings & Festivals (June-August 2009) invites you to experience the exciting traditions of the Scottish Borders Common Ridings. The Common Ridings are a manifestation of centuries old tradition, civic pride and stunning spectacle unique to the Scottish Borders.

View www.homecomingscotland2009.com/scottishborders or email Kpearson@scotborders.gov.uk for more information.

  

In the Footsteps of the Reivers – the Scottish Borders Walking Festival, a fascinating look at the rich and bloody history of the Border Reivers across the distinctive landscape that was their home.

From 5 -13 September take a walk through the stunning Scottish Borders countryside and follow in the footsteps of the Border Reivers. In the Footsteps of the Reivers is a fascinating look at the rich and bloody history of the Border Reivers across the distinctive landscape that was their home.

 View www.homecomingscotland2009.com/scottishborders or emailKpearson@scotborders.gov.uk for more information.

The Clan Scott Gathering an exciting four day programme full of history, music, colour, drama – and fun whether you’re a Scott or not.

The first ever international meeting of Clan Scott is being held at the family’s ancestral home in Bowhill, Scottish Borders, from 25 to 28 September 2009.

Please contact Helen Currie, Education and Events Manager, Buccleuch Heritage Trust (Registered Charity No SCO 14915), Bowhill, Selkirk, TD7 5ET

www.bowhill.org or hcurrie@buccleuch.com

The three major events all encourage visitors Back to the Borders (www.backtotheborders.com), a new Ancestral Tourism initiative by the same name was recently launched encouraging those with Borders heritage from across the world to rediscover their roots and return to the Scottish Borders.