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Today is one of the big highlights of the week. The Cornet, our leading man, and his Lass (it's the Scottish word for a girl and can also signify a girlfriend or wife) are "sworn in" and instructed to look after the burgh standard as they ride the Marches or boundaries of the town, returning along the route that brings them through the river Tweed at the ford. "Safe oot, safe in!" (Go out safely and come back safely) being the instruction to the principals and their followers on horseback, all 250+ of them!
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It's quite a sight to see as they all splash through the river in a seemingly unendless procession.
Following the Fording, the horsemen and women - horsepeople just doesn't sound right - gather on a slope below Hamilton Hill for some horse racing, the coveted big prize being the Beltane Bell.
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Later in the evening the crowds gather in the High Street to see the principals of the festival dance an Eightsome Reel, a Scottish circle dance for 8 people, accompanied by the Peebles Pipes and Drums, and thereafter the prizes for the race winners are presented by the Cornet and his Lass. That's usually the end of the night for the watchers, but I am sure the parties go on well into the small hours for the principals! Hope they all have a great night.
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Thanks fot looking at my photos of Peebles. It is great to read your comments, so thanks for writing!