Edinburgh Riding of the Marches: 13 great pictures showing horses and riders parading up the Royal Mile
The Edinburgh Riding of the Marches returned to the streets of the Capital on Sunday, September 10, after a three-year break due to the Covid pandemic and the Queen’s death.
The event commemorates the tradition of inspecting the city's boundaries and re-enacts the Captain of the Trained Band's return to the city with the tragic news of defeat at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The Riding of the Marches can be traced back to at least 1579. After the Union of Parliaments in 1707 the annual inspection ceased until 1946 when a ride was held to celebrate peace after the Second World War.
It returned in it current form in 2009 and has become established as a popular family event, as well as attracting hundreds of riders each year. The procession of horses up the Royal Mile included riders from the 29 Riding Towns of Scotland, each wearing their traditional coloured sashes, as well as riders from around the world.
It returned in it current form in 2009 and has become established as a popular family event, as well as attracting hundreds of riders each year. The procession of horses up the Royal Mile included riders from the 29 Riding Towns of Scotland, each wearing their traditional coloured sashes, as well as riders from around the world.
5. Pipes and drums on parade
The horse riders were accompanied by several bands including St Ronan's Silver Band, Erskine Stewart's Melville School Pipe Band, George Heriot's School Pipe Band and George Watson's Pipe Band. Photo: Lisa Ferguson
6. A wave for the crowd
Those on horseback found time to give a wave to the people who had turned out to watch as they rode up the Royal Mile. Photo: Lisa Fergsuon
7. Smiles on the Mile
Riders had a smile on their faces as they rode up the Mile past cheering crowds. Photo: LISA FERGUSON
8. A top event
The Riding of the Marches, which takes place every September is one of Edinburgh's largest public events. Photo: Lisa Ferguson