They had cheered him from the pavements, from their windows and their gardens as he passed by at the head of a 343-strong mounted cavalcade.
And, in return, Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Guy Blair did not need to say a single word to let them know how he felt.

View Hammermen Casting - Ruairaidh Riddell

His face said it all. The emotion was clear to see for the hundreds who packed Selkirk's Market Place at the town's Common Riding on Friday.

View Weavers Casting - Brian Hinnigan

When he'd finished casting the burgh colours on the raised dias, he glanced up towards to where his mum Sally, sister Emma and girlfriend, Hayley, were proudly watching from the balcony above the town hall and lifted his hand in a wave.


View Fleshers Casting - Bob Munro

It was probably the most poignant moment of the day for many, well aware that Guy's late dad, Ian, would also have been standing there to witness his son's proudest day, had it not been for a tragic fatal car crash earlier this year.

View Colonial Casting - Alistair Scott

But, keeping his emotions in check, the 29-year-old self-employed painter and decorator did himself, his family and his town proud with the way he conducted his duties all last week.

View Merchant Company Casting - John Smail

The handing back of the town's flag to Honorary Provost Jim Henderson, "unsullied and untarnished", brought to an end Guy's 12-year wait to shoulder his home town's greatest honour.

View Ex-Soldiers casting - Dave Myatt

And it was, he says, an experience that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

"It was absolutely brilliant. I loved every minute of it," Guy told TheSouthern just minutes after end of the ceremonials in the Market Place.

"But, yeah, I was a wee bit nervous. If anyone ever tells you they weren't nervous doing this – they're lying!"


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Common Riding Friday 2008 had dawned a bit on the dull side, but the weather soon brightened. And so it remained throughout the morning for the ceremonies which attracted a large crowd to the royal burgh.

Read the Selkirk Weekend Advertiser's coverage online

Visitors and native Souters alike happily mingled and walked round the town behind the town and pipe bands.

Common Riding Slideshow

And there was no shortage of support on horseback either, with 343 horses and their riders in the mounted cavalcade.

The big day started literally at the crack of dawn when, at 4am, the Flute Band made its way through the town to officially wake the Standard Bearer and the provost.

This was followed by the Act of Remembrance at the town war memorial by local ex-soldiers, and at 6am the first drum was sounded by the Silver Band.

With horses and riders starting to assemble in Back Row, all eyes and ears were on the County Hotel as the traditional gathering of the Exiles took place with a rendition of 'Her Bright Smile'.

Just before 7am, the installation of the Standard Bearer took place along with the Bussin' o' the Burgh Flag on the balcony of the Victoria Halls.

Then, the official procession formed with the organisations filling their designated slots and Souters and visitors alike linking arms for the march down The Green to the tune of 'O' a' the Airts'.

It was at 7.30am when riders forded the River Ettrick. Then the Standard Bearer led the cavalcade up to the Three Brethren, as the foot procession wound its happy way back to the Market Place and breakfast.
Fed and watered, everyone gathered at The Toll at 9am to welcome the riders back after which the bands struck up with 'Stirling Brig' and 'The Flo'ers o' the Forest' to lead the procession back into town.

Everything had been building to this one emotion-charged moment when the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer cast his flag to the strains of 'Up wi' the Souters o' Selkirk'.

He was followed by the standard bearers representing the Hammermen, Weavers, Fleshers, The Colonial Society, Merchant Company and Ex-Soldiers. There then followed a two-minute silence and the lament for Flodden and the return of the Burgh Flag 'unsullied and untarnished'.
At the end of the ceremonies, all the standard bearers and their families were on a high, with their excitment and pride obvious for all to see.

Guy has wanted to be Royal Burgh Standard Bearer ever since he was a wee boy and has ridden the event 20 times. He happily admitted that the reality more than lived up to the dream.

"It has been everything and more than I expected. It's hard to put into words what you feel. It's been a really hectic week, just non-stop. But today was the highlight for me," he said.

"Sure, I was a bit nervous. It was a bit like at the rugby," said Guy, who made his debut for the first Selkirk rugby First XV 12 years ago and went on to captain the side in the 2004-05 season. "You're waiting in the changing room before the kick-off and you're desperate just to get out there and get on with it.

"And it's a fantastic feeling to have completed it."
And the Ettrickhaugh Road resident had words of praise for his fellow standard bearers. "Watching all the boys cast today – they were all spot on."

Among the proudest folk watching were Guy's mum, Sally, and his sister, Emma.

"He was brilliant – I'm really proud of him," primary teacher, Emma, 27, told TheSouthern. "This was a change for me, because usually I'm on horseback for the Common Riding and have ridden it for the last 19 years." Emma said there were dozens of wonderful moments she would remember from her brother's big day.

"I think the best bits, though, for me, would be the ride up Linglie and seeing them come in at the Toll."

Emma's comments were echoed by mum, Sally, who admitted she was finding it difficult to find the words to adequately describe her feelings.
"I can't say how proud I am of Guy today. He has been waiting 12 years for this day, having been an attendant four times.

"To be honest, there's a bit of mixed emotions – wonderful to have the day finally here, but a bit sad as it's all gone so quickly."
Guy and his attendants – James Cheyne, Kieran Riddell, Craig Monks and Darren Miller – were also praised by Honary Provost Jim Henderson.

"This was another brillaint day for Selkirk. We were fortunate with the weather. It was a bit miserable this morning, but came away fine later on.

"I can't believe how big the crowds were today – they were amazing. They gave tremendous support to the Standard Bearer and the Attendants. And I think those five young men all did very well – really first class."

Provost Henderson also made special mention of the other standard bearers. "I don't think I have ever seen a group come together as quickly as these men. They all cast superbly."

And, according to Provost Henderson, there were no serious injuries sustained by any