The annual event, which has become a popular date in the calendar, transported the town back to the days of fire and steel and the 'riding families' with a packed programme of events that ranged from rousing traditional concerts, to a dazzling fireworks display.

Once again the historic west end of the town, aptly around the foot of Drumlanrig's Tower, was the focus of Saturday's action with a bustling 16th century market, re-enactments, crafts stalls, falconry experts, musicians and traders.

The popular 'rough justice' trials saw crowds gathered to see well-known local figures in the stocks, such as Cornet's Lass Megan Gracie and Sheriff Kevin Drummond. And the event's invitation for townsfolk and visitors alike to experience Hawick's heritage at the heart of reiving country was further displayed through local schools' drama performances, re-enactments, lectures and workshops.

With the town's cafes and hostelries filled to capacity, festival committee chairman Cath Eliott-Walker said the weekend certainly creates a buzz in the town.

She told us: "There's no doubt that both townsfolk and visitors get behind this event and the town receives a boost as a result.
"The feedback has been hugely positive once again."

As the light began to fade on Saturday evening, hundreds of people joined the favourite 'Hot Trod' torchlit procession up past the River Teviot to the Volunteer Park, where the blazing bonfire warmed a cold but clear night – which was ideal for the spectacular fireworks display that followed.

Perhaps the last things the hundreds of people who turned up at Wilton Lodge Park on Sunday were expecting were cloudless skies and a fire-breathing reiver.

But that's exactly what was on offer – the latter came thanks to equestrian trick-riders Les Amis D'Onno – as the sun beat down on the event.

Also doing their thing were the Knights of Monymusk, armoured to the nines and armed to the teeth. Neither helped them, however, against the kids of Teridom, who beat the living daylights out of them in the Children's Battle.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times was another group enacting the battles of yesteryear. They chose the Reivers Festival to debut their spectacular battle royale section and their musketeers made a bit of a racket too.

Always ready with their bows, Ettrick Forest Archers provided a display of sharpshooting skills throughout the afternoon.

Around the camp, there were several other suitably medieval displays, including a working blacksmith's forge, a cooking demonstration and a falconry display, where kids were able to hold the handsome birds.

Mrs Elliot added: "The Hawick Reivers Festival has become a firm favourite in the calendar and after another year of fantastic support, we're already talking about next year."