The 26-year-old was introduced to townsfolk as Standard Bearer-Elect at a ceremony in a packed Memorial Hall on Friday.

Stewart's Lass is Lynsey Thomson from the town who is a police officer with the Lothian and Borders force based in Edinburgh.

It was the new chairman of St Ronan's Border Games Committee, Alan Patterson, who made the popular announcements – his first major task since taking over the role from Keith Belleville.

Stewart works as an institutional investment fund administrator with First State Investments in Edinburgh.

He is a former pupil of St Ronan's Primary and Peebles High schools and his family has strong associations with the festival.

He told Friday's gathering: "It shall be my earnest endeavour to carry out the duties of the office of Standard Bearer to the satisfaction of my fellow townspeople."

Both Stewart and Lynsey are greatly looking forward to Games Week and to representing their town around the Borders.

Principal guest at this year's festival will be Alastair Campbell from Kelso who was head teacher at St Ronan's school for 23 years from 1983 to 2006. He will deliver the main speech during the Cleikum Ceremonies on Friday, July 18.

The Lady Busser was confirmed as Jenny Thomson who was Dux Girl in 2003 and who has just left Peebles High School and lives in Innerleithen.

Following the Introduction ceremony, Innerleithen Pipe Band led the principals and townsfolk round the town, stopping in Peebles Road, where a large crowd watched the official party dance an energetic Standard Bearers' reel.

And a reception was held at which visiting principals from Peebles, West Linton, Penicuik, Musselburgh and Currie, as well as other invited guests, were entertained by Stewart and Lynsey's parents and the Games Committee.

Head teacher of St Ronan's School, Chris McKeesick, will introduce St Ronan, the Dux Girl, Monks, Sash Girls and Lantern Bearer on Friday, May 30, completing the line-up for this year's celebrations.