In the rolling valleys of the Scottish Borders, a strange event takes place. To a stranger, common ridings might look like a simple town celebration, the community coming together to commemorate their shared history. The tradition forged in the past, cementing a future. For hundreds of years, we have seen thousands of riders on horseback go far and wide to the boarders of their towns, remembering the times before them and honouring their past.
At the heart of Common Ridings lies a complex story with a very prominent tone: Love, Hate and Fear. Love for the land and the “auld” songs that define the Borders. Hatred, the original reason it took place. The memories of the Reivers and the blood-filled feuds fought to protect the land and boundaries created. Fear, fear of what could happen to the riders as these “gallops” over the hills and glens, through rough terrain on each horizon. The fear of everyone celebrating, fear that this tradition may be left behind in an ever-changing world.
…hundreds shouting, swearing and jeering at the female riders.
Riding alongside the Braw Lad, exploring how these festivals do more than just mark territory and celebrate the past. These traditions serve as a living bridge to our ancestors, connecting the past to the present and embedding the tradition on the future.
‘Common Ridings’ is a traditional Scottish Borders event. For years these ridings have taken place, a celebration with roots back to the history of the boarders. The event represents the three main factors from which it was formed: Defence, property law and warrior heritage. In the modern day however, we look in a different way, we focus on different topics: Love, hate and fear, and of course the sexism and toxic masculine undertones.
But the three main topics don’t stray far from its origins, fear being the origin, hate the rivalry and love of the past. In the modern day, the focus is less on the ‘warrior’ of it all, and more on celebrating the past. Multiple events take place in Selkirk, Lauder, Hawick, Jedburgh, Melrose and finally Galashiels.
Each event has a build up to the big celebration, the day of the ride. The largest of the celebrations is ‘Gala’, also labelled ‘Gala Week’. A week of celebrations in Galashiels, bringing the whole community together. Each day multiple events take place, or sometimes just one, where the town comes together to celebrate their past – every year the community unites to celebrate and elect a ‘Braw lad and lass.’
It’s not a cut and dry process to go through, though. The pair must fit a multitude of criteria, something that is decided through an application. This application is then read through by the ‘Braw lads’ executive council. Following the decision, interviews take place narrowing down the selection to just two. Some of the criteria that must be met include: they must have lived at a TD1 postcode for over 12 years, they must be unmarried – preferably single and over the age of 18. The decision is kept secret until announcement day, which is usually at the beginning of May.
Women are spat on and chased away for even attempting to take their horse to an event
On the day of the announcement everyone gathers in ‘Cornmill Square’ and the decision is read out by the president of the gathering. The announcement is read on the balcony of the ‘Burgh Chambers’. The elected candidates then give a speech, and celebrations follow as well as songs such as “Braw, Braw Lads…”
The events usually vary but are unique to every location as they are based on each community and led by its people.
On day one, morning rides start at eight o’clock. Hundreds of riders follow the Braw lad and lass and are led to various historic points in their region. One of the most spectacular sights in the region is reached during this ride, they cross the River Tweed near Abbotsford.
On the final day they do the ‘Act of Homage’, to honour the fallen. Followed by the Braw lad returning the Burgh Standard “unsullied and untarnished” to the balcony.
But within these events are where the hidden issues lie. In the background where we see the most harm towards certain groups, they’re brushed under the rug.
In the forefront: sexism. Hundreds are treated in unacceptable ways solely because of their gender. Exclusive parties and ridings, only for men – no women allowed. Women are spat on and chased away for even attempting to take their horse to an event – to be part of the long-standing tradition, to rekindle a relationship with their past – their relatives but denied solely for their gender.
In 1996 in Hawick, 4 brave women exercised their right to ride but were met with something utterly shocking. A former common riding participant witnessed it all. As they moved through the town, men, women and children lined the streets – hundreds shouting, swearing and jeering at the female riders. People tried to physically block the women from riding – blocking their path and shouting abuse. “Awa hame an wash tha dishes!” was one of the many misogynistic phrases screamed at the women.
“The atmosphere was incendiary, charged with a level of anger and hostility I had never witnessed before, violence ready to erupt. What I saw that day was open, unashamed misogyny, performed in public and apparently considered acceptable by a significant portion of the crowd. I cheered the women riders and as a result, I was screamed at by a local shopkeeper who was also a Scottish Borders Council councillor.”
With actions such as these occurring mere 30 years ago, it raises the question; how did people act before this and how long has it gone on for?
Two completely different generations, two completely different ride-outs.
“It is hard to believe that eruption took place on Hawick’s streets almost 30 years ago. But here we are still fighting for women’s rights to equality in the Borders and across the globe.”
Cameron Brydon was the Braw Lad in 2025 for Galashiels. He described the process of becoming the Lad a “Long and nerve-wracking experience” but still, he defeated the odds and got his prize.
He’s always been a Gala-lad through, and through which helped in his election. His main achievement has been from his career in Gala rugby. He said “Being the braw lad 2025 was a dream come true to represent Galashiels,” and described it as a “huge honour for him, and his family” Cameron was probably the most involved individual in this years ‘Gala Week’ with his high stature position he’s seen the clear displays of sexism throughout the festivities.
“I think tradition sometimes does get in the way of making everyone involved as at some things women aren’t allowed to do certain things because of how it’s always been, and I don’t think that should still be the case.”
Equality has increasingly been given more and more media coverage over the years but for the likes of Gala Week, it has played its part in trying to make that change and allowed everyone to be involved to the same degree and create that balance. Give everyone the chance to participate in their combined history and its traditions.
“I think nowadays people make sure everyone feels welcome as I only started riding last year and everyone helped me with support and encouragement to make me feel welcome and supported while doing a challenging task such as riding.”
30 years of change has been displayed through the eyes of two people. Two completely different generations, two completely different ride-outs. One party seeing a fully isolated and neglected group being ostracised from being a part of such an amazing event that is supposedly meant to ‘being everyone together’ because of something as meaningless as their gender. The other party sees a brand-new era of ride-outs currently on show after years of struggles. Finally able to see these traditional events in their truest form, a modern lens on an ancient tradition.
The common Ridings are a unique and long-established event. They bring together communities every year yet there is still a long road ahead. There is much that must change to fit a modern and fair society, but for now, it’s on a good path, soon they will reach it, and everyone will be able to enjoy these magnificent celebrations – together once and for all.
