Common Riding Dates 2026
For the past few years, I’ve been gathering and sharing the dates for the Border Common Ridings and Festivals, along with a few kindred traditions from further afield. Below you'll find the key events for 2026 - updated as new dates are confirmed.
If you're drawn to these traditions, then there's more to explore. My blog offers glimpses into the heritage, kindness and quiet wonders of the Scottish Borders.
Better felt, than telt…
Hawick Common Riding - Common Riding Friday 5 June 2026
West Linton Whipman - Instillation Friday TBC & Rideout Saturday TBC
Yetholm Festival Week - Stob Stanes Rideout Wednesday TBC
Selkirk Common Riding - Common Riding Friday 12 June 2025
Melrose Summer Festival - Rideout Mon 15 & Crowning and Installation Thurs 18 June 2026 (TBC)
Peebles Beltane Festival - Rideout Wednesday 17 June 2026, Crowning Saturday 20 June 2026
Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering - Braw Lads Day Saturday 27 June 2026
Jethart Callants Festival - Redeswire Ride Saturday 4 July, Festival Day Friday 10 July
Duns Reivers Week - Saturday Ride Out & Fancy Dress Saturday TBC
St. Ronan’s Border Games, Innerleithen - Cleikum Friday 17 July 2026, Games Saturday 18 July 2026
Kelso Civic Week - Yetholm Rideout & Fancy Dress Saturday TBC
Lauder Common Riding - Common Riding Saturday 1 August 2026
Coldstream Civic Week - Flodden Rideout Thursday August TBC
Going further…
Berwick Upon Tweed - Riding of the Bounds Saturday 2 May
Penicuik Hunter & Lass - Festival Day Saturday May TBC
Stirling Walking of The Marches - Saturday 30 May 2026
Lanark Lanimers Week - Lanimers Day Thursday 11 June 2026
Biggar Gala Week - Riding of the Marches Sunday June TBC
Walkerburn Summer Festival - Fancy Dress and Bonfire Friday June TBC
Annan Riding of the Marches - Saturday July TBC
Eyemouth Herring Queen Festival - TBC
Langholm Common Riding - Common Riding Friday 31 July 2026
Musselburgh Festival - Festival Day Saturday July TBC
Edinburgh Riding of The Marches - Sunday September TBC
