IT’S fair to say Selkirk Common Riding runs through the veins of the Riddell family.

This year’s Standard Bearer, Kieran, may not have been born when his father, Keith, carried the Burgh Flag around the Marches in 1981, but he has been brought up with the customs and traditions.

And all of those 26 formative years helped shape the stone mason into the dignified and appreciative Standard Bearer who led his town in all its fanfare last Friday.

From the dawn Rouse Parade, through his Installation and the leading of his procession Doon the Green towards the Ettrick Water, Standard Bearer Riddell was calm and relaxed.

He rode with authority and accepted the cheers and waves with a smile.

This was his day... and he was going to enjoy it.

Kieran told us: “I was worried throughout the week, even the night before, about the amount of rain we were having but it cleared up.

“The river wasn’t too high and the ground was fairly firm. I didn’t have to worry, everything was as good as it could be.

“I had a great horse in Flame and my Attendants were with me all the way.”

From a’ the airts they came to support their Standard Bearer and be part of this most ancient and poignant of civic traditions.

The old can remember, the young can dream... and cheer they did together.

With a wave of noise and excitement following him all the way to the Ettrick Water, Standard Bearer Riddell calmly forded the rippling river.

And onto his town’s Marches he went - behind him a cavalcade of 292 mounted followers.

Standard Bearer Riddell knows these glens and hills like the back of his hand.

He first rode around these 900-year-old boundaries in his early teens.

And three times he has ridden as an Attendant, behind Standard Bearers Craig, Blair and Monks.

But this time it was different.

Standard Bearer Riddell said: “I’ve never felt like that before.

“I was nervous but really happy at the same time.

“It’s difficult to chose favourite parts but I really enjoyed both of the river crossings and the Toll was amazing.”

Throughout the Riding of the Marches, Kieran, was closely followed by his father, Keith, and aunt, Mabel Paton.

Up the Linglie Glen, pushing over to Tibbies, and then on to the iconic Three Brethren.

Gradually the Principal and his followers worked their way back down towards the second crossing.

Dad Keith said: “Kieran absolutely sailed through his duties.

“He was nervous when he was first appointed but he has grown into the role of the Standard Bearer - and we couldn’t be prouder.

“I had him in my sights the whole time and we were all calm.

“It was only after we’d crossed the Ettrick for the second time and Kieran went on ahead of his Attendants that I choked up a little. It was emotional watching him ride on ahead towards the Toll.”

Standard Bearer Riddell, aboard his gelding Flame, was greeted by thousands of excited Souters as he carried the Burgh Banner through the Toll.

Mum Anne watched on as her son brought home his cavalcade - and again from the Town Hall balcony above the Casting of the Colours in the Market Place.

She told us: “Watching Kieran today brings back so many happy memories.

“I married into the Common Riding and it has been with me and all my family ever since.

“I am one very proud mum. Kieran has made it all look easy, but I know what he has went through to do it so well.”