The world's most-read Scottish politics website

Wings Over Scotland


The false borders 281

Posted on June 21, 2014 by

The second weekend in June played host to the Selkirk Common Riding, the oldest of the Ridings events in the Scottish Borders. For the uninitiated, this centuries-old tradition incorporates a series of festivities in the town, the centrepiece of which is a cavalcade of several hundred horses galloping around the perimeter of the Royal Burgh, ensuring the town’s ancient boundaries are in good order (ie that no pesky Sassenachs have invaded the territory).

Despite being raised in the nearby village of Ashkirk and attending Selkirk High School, I was never interested in the Riding. Even in primary school whilst being taught the lyrics to “Auld Selkirk” and “Hail Smilin Morn” it didn’t seem relevant – I only went to my first ride-out last year because my Polish girlfriend was intrigued.

selkirkjack

That’s when the penny dropped.

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags:
Category comment, scottish politics

  • About

    Wings Over Scotland is a thing that exists.

    Stats: 6,861 Posts, 1,233,569 Comments

  • Recent Posts

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Tags

    and finally and firstly arithmetic fail braveheart klaxon britnats captain darling cartoons Chris Cairns confused cringe crybabies dateline debates Devo Nano Federalists Unionists and Devolutionists flat-out lies foreigner watch from the archives fundraisers galleries Greg Moodie hamish hypocrisy liars light-hearted banter lizards memogate misinformation one nation perspectives poll project fear project feart qft Scott Minto smears snp accused soapbox the positive case for the union The Vow ticktock toldyouso too wee too poor too stupid unionist of the day vote no get nothing

  • Recent Comments

    • Alan C on The Gulf War: “‘Sovereignty party leader Brian Nugent announced this morning he would be standing for both the Shetland constituency and the Highlands…” Jan 2, 07:19
    • James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “The people whom died in WW11 fought for our freedoms, our rights in a free Country a Britain that was…” Jan 2, 06:43
    • James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “The error Alba made and still make is trying to emulate the Snp old party that had long gone. That…” Jan 2, 06:07
    • Young Lochinvar on The Gulf War: “Correct. Can the talking heads here who brook no disagreement please advise; who should we actually vote for? ISP and…” Jan 2, 03:50
    • Phil on The Gulf War: “The fatal flaw of this excellent site is the dogged insistence on taking these independence polls seriously. Thus a ‘six…” Jan 2, 03:07
    • Cynicus on The Gulf War: “Lorna Campbell says: 1 January, 2026 at 2:41 pm “Somebody biased almost certainly had a hand in the decision. Don’t…” Jan 2, 01:13
    • Ian Brotherhood on Off-topic: “This will perceived as perverse by some but we had steak pie on Christmas Day, with the option of gravy-soaked…” Jan 1, 22:11
    • DaveL on The Gulf War: “@Hatey. Off topic. As I mentioned here: https://wingsoverscotland.com/a-matter-of-class/#comment-3150406 They’re doing it again and as you’re a fanboy I thought I’d…” Jan 1, 21:49
    • Towbar Sullivan on The Gulf War: “Now and again I read the Guardian for a laugh. There’s an article in it “Labour needs complete ‘reset’ to…” Jan 1, 21:33
    • DaveL on The Gulf War: “Stop yer whining.” Jan 1, 19:42
    • diabloandco on The Gulf War: “Seconded!” Jan 1, 19:30
    • twathater on The Fear Of The Briar: “Alf reform have been back pedaling on their policies e.g. their opposition to the gender woo woo , the immigration…” Jan 1, 18:18
    • twathater on The Gulf War: “@ James Cheyne as our infested deluded yoonionists keep telling US the ONLY one who has the authority or right…” Jan 1, 18:05
    • James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “Are you upset… didums. Trying to control the narrative, as far as I am aware it still relates to Scots…” Jan 1, 16:46
    • Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Gulf War: “KID-ON SCOTLAND Cardboard box with two holes cut for eyes. Wee boy in there pretending he wants out. In reality…” Jan 1, 16:41
    • Alf Baird on The Gulf War: “The Rev has rightly again pointed out the ever widening gulf between votes for SNP and votes for independence. By…” Jan 1, 16:27
    • sam on The Gulf War: “Guid New Year, James. I used AI to get this information. The sources quoted include “thebarristergroup.co.uk”. “Search Assist Yes, there…” Jan 1, 16:26
    • Insider on The Gulf War: “James Cheyne says: 1 January, 2026 at 3:49 pm “Scotland is a independent Country,” Well, so glad to hear that’s…” Jan 1, 16:08
    • sam on The Gulf War: “The decision is written by the Tribunal judge and his panel.I doubt they were stupid enough to believe this would…” Jan 1, 16:00
    • James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “Should Scotland be an independent Country, Scotland is a independent Country, just that England and media controls the narrative not…” Jan 1, 15:49
    • James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “AI is a computer, A computers output is only as good or sound as the creators imput. That why you…” Jan 1, 15:37
    • David Holden on The Gulf War: “Honest John one of the first successful charisma bypass operations in our wee country. As for James Kelly and his…” Jan 1, 15:33
    • Robert McAllan on The Fear Of The Briar: “Andy Wightman ‘the keynote speaker’??? FFS the ba’s burst afore it even touches the slates!!!” Jan 1, 15:25
    • 100%Yes on The Gulf War: “What I find totally unbelievable is how people actually do believe Liberate Scotland or the Alba party is going to…” Jan 1, 15:24
    • James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “Voters decisions. One nation has spent over three Centuries trying to rid themselves of the indigenous Scots vermin from Scotland,…” Jan 1, 15:23
    • geoff on The Gulf War: “You don’t seem well.” Jan 1, 15:10
    • 100%Yes on The Gulf War: “Alf, I’m afraid a lonely fart will have more effect than liberate Scotland will. We need to stop fucking around…” Jan 1, 15:10
    • Alf Baird on The Gulf War: “Yes, national identity and therefore national consciousness (based on culture and indigenous languages) is a central feature in colonial societies…” Jan 1, 14:53
    • Lorna Campbell on The Gulf War: “Happy New Year, ane an a. Great piece, Rev. If the Sandie Peggie appeal is successful on the grounds that…” Jan 1, 14:41
    • Northcode on The Gulf War: ““Westminster will never allow Scotland’s money to escape no matter what.” It isn’t up to Westminster… it’s in the gift…” Jan 1, 14:34

  • A tall tale



↑ Top