Blog 
Every summer, towns throughout the South of Scotland celebrate the riding of their boundaries - known as Common Ridings. This tradition, done on horseback, has been taking place for centuries. The festivals surrounding these ride outs commemorate the local history with music, song, parades and concerts culminating in the whole town celebrating. Steeped in tradition, these are some of the biggest and oldest equestrian festivals in the world.
Nowhere is this taken more seriously, and celebrated with more pride than in Jedburgh. Each town has its own traditions and names for the principal ceremonial roles. In Jedburgh it is the ceremonial role of the Callant. The process of deciding on, or declaring, the Callant and other roles starts months in advance, part of the much anticipated build-up to the festivities themselves.
The sight of riders and their horses, embarking from the town and out towards neighbouring towns is one to behold. Over the course of the two week festival, there are many ride outs (see our What's On for specific details). Each rideout concludes in the town centre with the town band and the singing of historic festival and town anthem "Jethart's Here". Some rideouts pass through the river at Canongate Ford, a particular highlight, often drawing hundreds of spectators on festival day itself. 
