STUDENT Struan Hutchison is confident he’ll get all the Melrosian lessons he needs from his uni-mate in Northumberland, Donald Crawford.

On Friday evening the 19-year-old, who is studying sports management, was inducted as the 2016 Melrosian in his hometown’s historic Market Square.

He takes over the role from his mate Donald, who wore the rosette and sash impeccably throughout last year’s summer festivals.

After being carried shoulder high around the Market Cross, Struan told the Border Telegraph: “Donald and I are at university together and we played rugby together – having him as my Right-Hand man will be a great help.

"I've lived in Melrose all of my life and this is something all of us boys in the town wanted to do. It is every young boy’s dream.

“It is an honour to represent my town as Melrosian.”

Struan's parents, Jim and Lorna, and his brother, Blair, were among the 400 or 500 well-wishers who gathered for Friday’s ceremony.

Struan, who turns 20 later this month, added: “My parents moved here from Dundee before I was born and they have been supporters of the Melrose Festival ever since.

“My brother travelled all the way up from Loughborough University for tonight – it’s safe to say my family will be as excited as I am during the Melrose Festival this year.”

Retiring 2015 Melrosian Donald Crawford thanked the people of Melrose for their support during his tenure, and he admitted he couldn’t be handing over the reins to a more suitable principal.

Donald said: “I stand here tonight with mixed emotions – I am sad to be ending my time as Melrosian but I’m happy to be handing over the sash to one of my best mates.”

With last year’s Left-Hand Man, Sam Thomson, on duty with the Household Cavalry in London, the 2011 Melrosian Ruaridh Nairn deputised in Friday’s sash ceremony as the outgoing Left-Hand Man.

During his introduction of the 2016 Melrosian, recently-appointed chairman Michael Crawford, who was Melrosian in 1984, told Struan: “On behalf of all present we wish you every success in what we all recognise as an arduous task.

“I can assure you, as an Ex-Melrosian, you have the full support of your Right- and Left-Hand men, who have the invaluable experience of recent office, and all my fellow Ex-Melrosians.

“Struan, you will receive the full backing of the Festival Executive and the whole-hearted support of the people of Melrose.”

Chairman Crawford also paid tribute to his predecessor, James Marjoribanks.

And he also introduced this year’s Festival Queen and her Court.

Primary seven pupil Nicola Ferguson was announced as the winner of the primary school essay competition and as the 2016 Festival Queen.

The 11-year-old told us: “I just found out I had won when Michael (Crawford) came to the school yesterday – it was a big surprise.

“I like going to the Melrose Festival but this year is going to be special.”

Molly Neville and Felicity Walls were introduced as the Queen’s Attendants, with Euan Bond and Joe Foulkes earning the roles of Courtiers.

Callum Ferando and Frazer Rout were announced as the 2016 Heralds.

And primary one pupils Isla Gillespie and Belle Douglas were named as the trainbearers.

This year’s Melrose Festival runs from Sunday, June 19 to Saturday, June 25.