FLODDEN’S bloody battlefield has had many a word written about it.

And commemorations continue to this day in remembrance of the thousands who lost their lives on September 9, 1513.

Few ceremonies though, can compare to Selkirk’s homage to the one Souter who did return from Flodden Field.

The re-enactment of Fletcher’s defiant cast of a captured banner is more than just paying tribute to the past, though, in many ways it acts as a metaphor for the defiant spirit which has kept this ancient community and its traditions alive through the prevailing centuries.

Through good times and bad, Selkirk has honoured its forefathers and celebrated its history with the Common Riding Festival.

On Friday, Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Kieran Riddell led his fellow Principals from the town’s ancient crafts and organisations onto the striking red plinth which sits just yards from where Fletcher cast the English banner days after the bloody battle.

To the rousing chorus of Up Wi’ the Souters from Selkirk Silver Band, each Standard Bearer, in turn, displayed the expertise and composure required to honour both the traditions and the people they represent.

Standard Bearer Riddell has mastered the flag during weeks of committed practice.

His cast was strong and his timing to perfection.

Kieran later told us: “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would have been.

“It is special to go up there and cast the flag.”

While Kieran followed his father in carrying the Burgh Banner, Hammermen’s Standard Bearer Fraser Tough could also look towards his Old Man for advice.

Dad, Alan, cast the Hammermen’s Flag back in 1995.

Whatever words of wisdom were passed down, they certainly worked.

Fraser’s immaculate cast concluded with a calm wave and a broad smile.

Weavers Standard Bearer Kevin Nicoll also produced a consummate cast beneath the silver skies.

The huge exhale and grin told its own story as the 41-year-old climbed down from the scarlet plinth.

Flesher’s Standard Bearer Darren Hoggan is a well-known face on Selkirk High Street.

And the butcher proved to be just as handy with a flag as he is with a carving knife, providing a perfect cast.

In the weeks leading up to Selkirk Common Riding, the various Standard Bearers spend many an hour in casting practice.

One who doesn’t have the benefit of rehearsals and advice from previous incumbents is the Colonial Standard Bearer.

But Qatar-based civil engineer Martin Murray was still faultless with the striking Colonial Flag.

Having just flown in from the Middle-East earlier in the week, the former Selkirk rugby player rewarded himself with a smile and wave as he left the plinth.

Afterwards Martin, who first came to Selkirk 21 years ago, told us: “It was a once in a lifetime experience.

“I know how much the Common Riding means to the people of Selkirk and it was an honour to be up there. It is emotional.”

Car showroom manager Stuart Hogarth steered the Merchant Company Flag perfectly in time to the Silver Band.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Douglas, the smile never left his face throughout the cast.

Former soldier Alex Ballantyne was given the duty of both casting the Ex-Soldiers’ Association Flag as well as leading the gathering in two minutes of silence.

It was with military precision that he cast the banner before lowering it to the floor.

Only the stirring lament of The Liltin brought the gathering back from their reflection.

And back to a day that both honoured the fallen Souters of Flodden, and every battle since, as well as celebrated the traditions that make this Royal Burgh so special.