And it was a day, said Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Guy Blair, that he will never forget.

View Hammermen Casting - Ruairaidh Riddell

The 29-year-old self-employed painter and decorator from Ettrickhaugh Road awoke on Common Riding morning to a fairly dreicht start – not the best of summer weather.

View Weavers Casting - Brian Hinnigan

But it was not to last, with the morning brightening up and becoming dry. Regardless, Selkirk was determined, as always, to support its Royal Burgh Standard Bearer and his Attendants James Cheyne, Keiran Riddell, Darren Miller and Craig Monks.

View Fleshers Casting - Bob Munro

They turned out in their hundreds, packing the pavements, verges and garden frontages to cheer them and 343 mounted supporters, round the marches.

View Colonial Casting - Alistair Scott

And, in return, Guy did not need to say a single word to let them know how he felt.
His face said it all. The emotion was clear to see for the packed ranks of spectators who filled the Market Place for the Casting of the colours.

View Merchant Company Casting - John Smail

When he'd finished casting the burgh flag on the raised dias, Guy glanced up towards 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 Ex-Soldiers Casting - Dave Myatt

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 our Common Riding e-mag

But, keeping his emotions in check, Guy did himself, his family and his town proud with the way he conducted his duties all last week.

Read the Southern Reporter's Common Riding coverage

The handing back of the town's flag to Honorary Provost Jim Henderson, "unsullied and untarnished", brought to an end the long wait to shoulder his home town's greatest honour.
And it was, he says, an experience that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

Common Riding slideshow

"It was absolutely brilliant. I loved every minute of it," Guy told The Wee Paper 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!"

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.

"It was a bit like at the rugby," said Guy, who made his debut for the first Selkirk rugby 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 now to just get out there and get on with it. And it's a fantastic feeling to have completed it."

And he had words of praise for his fellow standard bearers. "Watching all the boys cast today – they were all spot on," he said.

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 The Wee Paper. "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 Honorary Provost Jim Henderson.
"This was another brilliant 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 – Ruairaidh Riddell (Hammermen), Brian Hinnigan (Weavers), Rob Munro (Fleshers), Alistair Scott (Colonial Society), John Smail (Merchant Company) and David Myatt (Ex-Soldiers):
"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 of the riders taking part on Friday.