SELKIRK Colonial Society has unveiled Martin Murray from Qatar as its Standard Bearer for 2017.

Martin was the unanimous choice of Society members at the recent Annual General Meeting.

Following his appointment, Martin has informed the Society that his wife, Fiona, will be his Lady Busser.

Mr Murray was a well known Selkirk rugby player who turned out for the club from 1999 to 2011.

But his history with Selkirk Common Riding goes back even further to 1996 when he first attended with his future wife Fiona, the daughter of Allan and Kathleen Mckenzie.

Fiona and Martin moved to Selkirk in 2002 and both their children, Ruaridh (14) and Sarah (9), were initially raised in Selkirk, attending Knowepark Primary School, before the family moved to Qatar in 2013 for work.

Martin is a civil engineer who has worked on various major projects around the UK, notably undertaking the structural design for the Falkirk Wheel, managing the delivery of Waverley Station Refurbishment and leading the delivery of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail Electrification before taking a job advising on the Doha Metro delivery and operation in Qatar.

His wife, Fiona, was born and bred in Selkirk attending Knowepark and Selkirk High School, before commencing on a career in Occupational Therapy.

Fiona’s father, Allan, was Flesher’s Standard Bearer in 2005 with her brother, Scott, following suit in 2013.

Her cousin, Bruce Redburn, was also the 2016 Flesher’s Standard Bearer and her uncle Andrew Heatlie was Junior Burgh officer for many years with her cousin Stephen Heatlie currently in this role.

Ian Clapperton, Chairman of Selkirk Colonial Society, told the Border Telegraph: "The family have had a long and productive history with the Royal and Ancient Burgh.

"Martin is honoured to represent the Selkirk Colonial Society as Standard Bearer for 2017 on behalf of his wife, the rest of their family and Colonial Souters throughout the world. "

The Society would be pleased to hear from any returning 'exiles' or their descendants, or any visitors from overseas, who are attending this year’s Common Riding.

They should contact Mr Clapperton on ian.clapperton2@btopenworld.com or secretary Aileen Firth.