SELKIRK Common Riding is undoubtedly a festival steeped in tradition and commemoration.

But it is also a day of contrasts for the followers as well as the ones lucky enough to take part.

From the high-adrenaline riders returning at the Toll, the ecstasy and elation is quietly absorbed by reflection and respect as the colourful procession heads into town.

Beneath silver skies the rearranged scarlet plinth within the Market Place awaited not only Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Peter Forrest, but the six accompanying Standard Bearers selected by the town’s ancient Societies and Associations.

To the growing thrum of expectation, as the hidden clock ticked past eleven, all seven gathered beneath the steps to await a brief minute or two that will live with them forever.

Since the tragic cast of a blood-soaked English banner more than 500 years ago, this re-enactment both commemorates and celebrates, defiance and pride in equal measure.

And as the Silver Band leads the way with Up wi’ the Souters, each Standard Bearer in turn re-enacts and relives this defiant and proud act.

Standard Bearer Forrest, as he had been all morning, was assured and relaxed as he turned the Royal Burgh Standard above his head.

It was as deserved a cheer as any Standard Bearer has received as he smiled, waved and made his way from the gaze of five-thousand eyes.

College lecturer Mark Easson – a painter by trade – resumed where Standard Bearer Forrest had left off. Armed with the Incorporation of Hammermen Banner, the 49-year-old showed a steady hand and perfect timing to provide an impeccable cast.

His smile was as deserved as the loud cheer that followed him down the steps.

Fletcher himself was a weaver before that bloody battle in 1513, and Michael Pepper made sure the fabric of the historic Corporation continued unblemished for another year.

The 27-year-old textiles worker may have looked a little nervous but as his cast continued his smile grew. Again, the appreciation was richly deserved.

Former farmer Jackie Johnston brought experience with him as he provided a perfect cast of the Incorporation of Fleshers Flag.

If there were nerves, they didn’t show as the self-employed excavator took it all in his stride, even managing a thumbs-up to the conductor of the Silver Band before dismounting.

While the other Standard Bearers have enjoyed several weeks’ of practice under the guiding gaze of those who have gone before them, Colonial Standard Bearer Alisdair Piercy has been using two broom-handles taped together with an old Scotland flag in his garage in Toronto.

But casting the colours is in his blood - the 39-year-old was following in the footsteps of his father, Drew, and grandfather, Archie, by casting the colours.

And the 2018 Colonial Standard Bearer was perfect in every way as he cast the striking yellow banner above his head.

Following the ceremony Alisdair revealed: “I watched the casting so many times when I was a boy growing up in Selkirk.

“Being up there was amazing – I was ready to start but when that drum sounds it hits you right in the heart.

“I was trying not to listen to the band and keep counting in my head, like I’d been told, and I think it worked.”

The wave and grin from Alisdair were deserved as he savoured every moment on the scarlet plinth.

One Standard Bearer who is more familiar with the new-look Market Place than most is architect Stuart Davidson.

The 37-year-old dad-of-three has been heavily involved in the ongoing redesign of the town centre.

Stuart was a picture of concentration throughout most of his faultless cast, only allowing himself a huge smile of relief during the final bars of Up wi’ the Souters.

Arguably the most poignant of all is saved for last.

Former KOSB Martin Young brought with him all the military discipline and reliability you would expect as he carried the Ex-Soldiers’ Association Flag onto the scarlet plinth.

The father of two, who is a now a traffic policeman, provided another faultless cast with the Union banner before leading this close-knit community in two minutes of silence and reflection.

With the centenary fast approaching of the end of the Great War, the sacrifice made by so many is being brought even clearer into focus.

That defiance of tyranny and pride in one’s own beliefs and customs, shown by Fletcher, has carried on in Souters down the centuries as decade after decade they have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Those two minutes of impeccable silence and reflection were only broken by the haunting strains of The Liltin.

And for yet another year, Souters can return home safe in the knowledge that the past won’t be forgotten and the future is one of hope.