The Riding of the Marches at Annan (Dumfries and Galloway) - A Day of Community, Horses and Pipes!

Описание: Experience all the excitement and tradition of the 2024 Riding of the Marches. This is an event that embodies centuries of Border history. Meet the Cornet, Cornet's Lass and the Standard Bearer as well as enjoying the Gala parade and the pipe bands..

Filmed July 2024
Jonathan Wheeler
eye scotland
Youtube, FB and Instagram
(Sister channel to Travel Obscurer)

Special thanks to Stuart Thompson of the ROM
and Jamie Grant of SolwayVideo

"The Marches or boundaries of Annan have been ridden since the town was created a Royal Burgh more than 600 years ago.
Each year in early July more than one hundred horsemen and horsewomen Ride the Marches to ensure that the landmarks, cairns and other features have not been removed or tampered with.
Annan Riding of the Marches is recognised as being one of the best displays of pipes and drums in Scotland with the closing ceremony attracting in excess of 5,000 people.
Other festivities include a grand parade though the town with decorated floats and bands. In the afternoon a major pipe band competition, sports and entertainment are held on the sports field. Later massed pipe bands and Annan Town Band combine to entertain at the evening closing ceremony on Annan High Street." - From the Annan.org.uk Website

"2023 ROM Day Report
by Kevin Edgar
The weather was cloudy and cool for the 8.00 am start on Saturday the 1st of July and this year an increased cavalcade of around 92 riders led by Standard Bearer Hilda McClanachan and accompanied by Chief Marshal Jim Hodgson, Cornet Oran Keenan and Cornet’s Lass Kirsty Cooper and their supports, set off along the High Street, down Battery Brae and onto the Everholm for their first gallop.
Safely over the playing fields and up the slope to the road at Springfield House they then made their way through Guillilands to Landheads where the traditional snuff was handed round by the ROM President Barbara Laidlaw and this year Nathan Sanderson was “skelped” through at the Hole in the Hedge, with Convener Stuart J Thompson reciting the “Tak Heed Tak Heed”.
The next scheduled stop for the Official Party was Williamwood House where they were introduced to their hosts Michael and Shirley Clarke. Then it was past Allalea and onto the popular 20 min stop at Chapelcross for a filled roll and refreshments for the riders before continuing downhill through Stapleton Fields where their hosts were the Logan Family.
Next was through Woodhead Farm steading and under the A75, up past Hardrigg Lodge and over Swordwell fields past Beckfoot, over Peggy’s Burn and on to the shorefront to Battlehill. This year the Solway channel was pretty much at high tide so we travelled along the road past Sandhills for our return to Annan, Wood Avenue, to Port Street and back onto the Everholm to pick up the lead rein riders for the parade start before going on to the Newington Roundabout.
The going under hoof for the five chases this year was ideal and the winners were 11 year old Kate Edgar - Juvenile, 13 year old Tara Kane – Junior, Margaret Kane – Cornet’s Lass, Ade Kane – Cornet’s, the Open race had by far the most runners with Bud Little from Lockerbie being the convincing winner, with his horse winning for the second year.
The female and male best turned out riders on the High Street at 7.30am was judged to be Claire McNay from Dumfries and Mr Euan Douglas. The last ride out the turnout winners were judged as Lucy Edgar - Junior and Emma Dinning - Senior.
At 1.00pm the cavalcade arrived at the Fish Cross followed by the 2023 Queen of the Border Miss Roxy Nicholson, along with her Champion Elliot Oakes leading another well supported, colourful parade with the display of 14 decorated floats and around 40 children in fancy dress. A list of parade winners can be found on the right.
The “Has Beens” were back again to celebrate their 30th year participating in the Annan ROM parade with their “tribute to Abba” dance routine and bright yellow costumes and were still hugely popular with the crowds and had a great reception.
The usual large crowds turned out to view the parade on the High Street and the standard of entries was high. It proved to be very entertaining again this year and well done to all taking part especially the children. After the parade the Annan Academy playing fields had the children’s funfair and hosted the Children’s Sports competitions and Mini Highland games with the winner this year being Ollie Hamilton and of course the adjacent fields held the keenly contested annual Pipe Band competitions consisting of bands from all over the UK.
At 5.50 pm the handing back of the Standard ceremony and presentation of trophies took place. A list of winners can be found on the right.
This year 11 pipe bands marched up the High Street, which was a great turn out, culminating in Leona Mason singing Auld Lang Syne bringing another marvellous finale to Annan’s big day…… SAFE IN.

Kevin Edgar
Marchriding Secretary 2023"
From the Annan.org.uk Website