Kelso Civic Week
Inaugurated in 1937 and includes a raft race, sports, gymkhana, concerts and rideouts to neighbouring villages.
Kelso Civic Week is cancelled for 2021.
Keep up to Date
Further details can be found here or by contacting the Kelso Laddies’ Association by email.
For all public transport options to Kelso, please visit Traveline Scotland.
History
On the Wednesday of Civic Week the Kelso Laddie is installed and the Standard bussed, the ceremony in the Market Square concluding with the Kelso Laddie‘s Reel. Two days later the Laddie is installed as Kelso Whipman commemorating the Old Whipman‘s Society of Ploughmen, once active in the town. He leads his mounted followers to a ceremony at the Trysting Tree, the traditional meeting place of the Whipmen. The chief ride to Yetholm takes place on Saturday and the festival concludes with a fancy dress parade, presentation of cups and the return of the Kelso Standard to the Provost.