The Riding of the Marches in Edinburgh was reintroduced In 2009 marking the ancient custom of riding the boundaries with the symbolic tradition of inspecting the Common Land of Edinburgh.  Records date it back to at least 1579.   Today 280 riders rode a 26 miles route on the southside of Edinburgh joined by representatives from other Riding Towns and some council leaders.  Here the cavalcade are riding down Queen’s Drive on their way to Holyrood where they will be led by bands up the Royal Mile to the Mercat Cross for the official ceremony stating that the bounds are safe and presenting the Lord Provost with the City Banner which remains unblemished.
Before the procession arrived the crowds near the Mercat Cross had been entertained by various bands and equine displays and the longest “Strip the Willow” ceilidh dance where anyone could join in with even young children participating