WHEN faced with adversity, there's only one man to call - Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Peter Forrest.

On Friday morning the 26-year-old joiner led his town with both authority and calmness as Souters celebrated and honoured their historic traditions.

Yet the countdown couldn't have been more nerve-racking or distracting.

Delays in Selkirk town centre renovations meant a reshuffle of vantage points for the iconic Casting of the Colours ceremony.

And on the eve of the Common Riding itself, Storm Hector rampaged through the Royal Burgh tearing down bunting and leaving a trail of destruction and debris.

If the build-up wasn't distracting enough, a thoughtless thug spent the Nicht Afore the Morn spray-painting graffiti on landmarks including the War Memorial.

But just a few hours later the 2018 Standard Bearer remained the picture of calm as the sun gently rose on Friday morning.

The weather had relented, the debris had been cleared, the bunting had been restrung, and the vandalism was covered.

And as Souters frae a' the airts linked arms and belted out the songs they'd learned as children, all the woes were soon forgotten.

Selkirk shone as it always does on Common Riding morning.

After returning the Burgh Flag, Standard Bearer Forrest told us: "I have been calm all week and even managed to get a good three hours' sleep last night.

"I'm not sure how I manage it, but I don't get nervous at all, and despite everything that has happened, for me the Common Riding couldn't have gone any better.

"I've loved the build up and I have loved every second of being Standard Bearer - I don't think the smile has left my face since the minute I got up this morning."

Whether it was the four years he served as an Attendant - behind James Cheyne in 2009, Douglas Gunn in 2010, Gavin Henderson in 2012 and Kieran Riddle in 2017 - that equipped Peter for taking his duties in his stride, we'll never know.

But his composure and welcoming smile wasn't lost on any of the dignitaries around him.

Honorary Provost Jake Wheelans said: "After all the bad weather and everything else it was great to have Peter as our Standard Bearer.

"He was impeccable in every part of his duties today, and he upheld all of our traditions as a Standard Bearer should.

"Selkirk has enjoyed a tremendous Common Riding with a fantastic Standard Bearer."