March 30 2009
Border Ridings Showcase at Royal Highland Show 2009
Border Ridings Showcase at Royal Highland Show 2009
The Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals will encourage visitors to Return to the Ridings by presenting a special showcase at the Royal Highland Show 2009 as part of Homecoming Scotland 2009.
The Royal Highland Show, which attracts around 160,000 people over the four day event, has extended an invitation to the eleven Common Ridings & Festivals who have joined together to encourage the Scottish Diaspora to Return to the Ridings in 2009. The ancient Border Common Ridings are stunning spectacles of equestrian skill, local pride and historical celebration.
Working with the Homecoming Scotland team at Scottish Borders Council, the Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals Association welcomed the invitation as an opportunity to showcase the history and heritage of the ancient Ridings in front of an international crowd.
The Return to the Ridings members have been offered the opportunity to send two riders from each town to the Royal Highland Show to perform in the main ring on Sunday 28 June. Normally over 40,000 people attended the Show on Sunday. The Scottish Borders Homecoming Scotland team is working with the Association to present the stunning spectacles of the Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals.
David Dunsmuir, Royal Highland Show Manager said:
"This will be a perfect fit with the show. We want Homecoming visitors to see something of the traditions of Scotland and what better than the ancient celebrations of the Borders Common Ridings. Not only that, there is huge equestrian interest at the show and the ridings will make a fantastic spectacle for our main ring audience."
Andrew Johnston Chairman of the Border Common Ridings and Festivals Association, said:
"The Royal Highland Show is a fantastic opportunity to take the stunning Common Ridings & Festivals of the Scottish Borders to an international audience packed with equestrian enthusiasts. As part of Homecoming Scotland we are encouraging everyone with Borders or Scottish links to come back to the area and the Royal Highland Show will showcase some of the area's most famous events.
"We are working with the Scottish Borders Homecoming team to develop a programme that truly reflects the status of the Common Ridings & Festivals through Return to the Ridings. The Riding's Committee is aware that the Show lands on the same weekend as Riding celebrations in Galashiels and we are working with all those involved to ensure both the Royal Highland Show and Gala Braw Lads are highly successful."
Councillor Vicky Davidson, Executive Member for Economic Development, Scottish Borders Council, said:
"We will be encouraging all those at the Royal Highland Show to come and visit the remaining Common Ridings and Festivals and join in the Homecoming Scotland celebrations.
"Return to the Ridings is not only an opportunity for visitors to see and participate in the famous Ride-outs but also learn more about the fascinating history behind the events and visit the beautiful Scottish Borders."
Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrates the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns' birth and the Scottish Borders Homecoming Scotland Programme includes three major events.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 - Major Events in the Scottish Borders:
Return to the Ridings, a celebration of the centuries old tradition and stunning spectacle of the Border Common Ridings & Festivals; In the Footsteps of the Reivers - the Scottish Borders Walking Festival, afascinating look at the rich and bloody history of the Border Reivers across the distinctive landscape that was their home; 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 three major events all encourage visitors Back to the Borders, a newAncestral Tourisminitiative 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.