'It was just fabulous'

Newsdesk Newsdesk - 1020 • Published 4 Jul 2007 12:54

GALASHIELS woke up to blue skies and sunshine on Saturday morning.

And while that ray of sunshine disappeared behind high cloud as morning approached noon, there were only a few spots of rain as the Braw Lads" Gathering 2007 reached its climax.

Nothing to compare with the deluge that followed in the afternoon and relief all round that the Gathering had escaped the worst of the weather.

The sun continued to shine, if only in the faces of Braw Lad Craig Wilson and Braw Lass Amy Quinn, neither of whom could hold back the tears at the end of a memorable four hours at the end of an unforgettable seven days.

And in the minds of both, there was nothing to beat the gallop up Scott Street.

'It was fabulous,' Craig said. 'There is no other word to describe it. Your heart just races and your body starts to sweat.'

'It could not have gone any better,' said Amy. 'You do not get a better feeling than going up Scott Street.'

Gathering chairman David Houston, who, after two years in office, will be handing over his role to Phil Macari in 2008, was ecstatic.

'Just fantastic, from the start of the week to the finish,' he said.

'We had six excellent Principals again and they did themselves and the town proud.

'Overall it has been a grand day.'

The ride-out went smoothly despite the route having to be changed with the River Tweed flowing too high to allow the riders to cross and several fields being still under floodwater or heavily saturated following one of the wettest June months on record.

Chief marshal Graeme Howlieson praised his Principals and all the riders who made his job a lot easier.

'It was absolutely fantastic and the horsemanship was first class,' he said.

'The horses were well turned out as well.

'It was disappointing that we did not cross the river, but we knew that was to be the case the previous night and the Principals accepted it.

'We had a great canter over Gala Hill and I think everyone enjoyed it.

'The Principals were a credit to the town and it was great to work with them.'

Graeme also praised the Mounted Events Committee (led by Fiona Stewart) for all their hard work (as marshals).

The day had dawned bright, sunny and warm and inside the Council Chambers, the Braw Lad and Lass and their Attendants were preparing for the big day of their life.

Nothing like it would happen again.

Amy was covering from a heavy cold, but the adrenalin kept her on a high; Craig was just anxious, in modern terms, to get the show on the road.

So, at the stroke of eight o"clock, the Principals apart from the Braw Lad emerged to mount up while Craig along with Gathering President Gordon Keddie emerged on the balcony to loud cheering.

Town Crier Jim Amos Cried the Fair for the 21st time.

Turning to the Braw Lad, Gordon said: 'I entrust you to carry the Burgh Standard with honour and the tradition of this town and to return it to me at the end of the ride-out.'

In return, Craig told the President: 'In accepting this Burgh Standard, I promise to do my best to carry it and uphold the traditions of the Burgh and I call on my Braw Lass and Attendants to help me do this.'

Craig then mounted, and with Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe and St Ronan"s Silver Band, they set off along Abbotsford Road before swinging into Tweed Road and down to the Raidstane.

It is here, history tells us, that in 1337, a party of English raiders were killed by "the men of Gala."

The Braw Lad and Lass and Attendants received the Soor Plooms from the trees before the riders set off in different directions.

The main group headed out over the former railway line bridge to Tweedbank, while the Principals re-joined the A7 to cross the Galafoot Bridge, intermingling with traffic at the same time.

Abbotsford was the next port of call where they were greeted by the Jacqui Wright, now the executive manager at the former home of Sir Walter Scott.

The Braw Lad brought greeting from the people of Galashiels and the party, which also included President Keddie, chairman Houston and clerk Hazel Newlands were invited inside for a refreshment and a piece of shortbread.

The Braw Lad then remounted (not by the Loupin Stone, which is under repair) and headed off along the road to cross the River Tweed again at Galafoot before rejoining the main party for the gallop over Gala Hill.

Huge crowds had gathered at the Mercat Cross, beautifully decorated, and after the bands had played the traditional Highland Cathedral, they gave the Principals a tumultuous welcome.

Amy accepted the Red Roses of Lancaster from Emma Carlyle and the White Roses, of York, from Tracy Borthwick, and with all eyes on her, she mixed the Roses as the Silver Band played "Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill."

The biggest cheer of the day broke out as Amy placed the Roses on the Cross before taking the Sod from Phillip Halliday and the Stone from David Anderson before also placing those on the Cross.

Dominic Scott, the representative of the Laird of Gala, was introduced to Gordon, David, Phil, Hazel and treasurer Neil Kimber.

Jim Amos read out the charter and, after leaving the stage, the Principals wiped away more tears and, with the Silver Band in front, walked down to Old House where they were invited in by Mr Scott.

The riders remounted for one of the highlights, the gallop up Scott Street, which was packed on either side with thousands of people.

Crammed in behind the safety barriers, they cheered, shouted, waved their flags and gave the Principals and the remainder of the cavalcade a massive show of support.

It was then back to the War Memorial, where Craig"s horse stood patiently and without more than a slight movement, as the Braw Lad dipped the flag in silent tribute to the war dead.

As the bells rang out, Craig lifted up the flag and dismounted to join the other Principals, their job almost done, to return to the Council Chambers.

On the balcony, Craig handed back the Burgh Flag to Gordon. 'I return the flag to you in the same way as I received it,' he said.

And Gordon replied: 'I congratulate you, your Braw Lass and the Attendants for the efficient way that you have carried out your duties.'

He called for three cheers for the Braw Lad, Braw Lass and their Attendants, and with that the Principals disappeared into the Council Chambers - where the tears flooded out and they were congratulated by the guests and visitors.

Tears of joy and tears of relief were shed in an emotional finale.

It had been a day to remember.

The sun had gone from the skies, but the rays of sunshine lit up the faces of the Principals at the end of a fantastic morning.

Four hours that they would never forget had passed ever so quickly.

In the evening, the Principals returned to place the Roses on the War Memorial, and almost 24 hours later, attended the final service at Gala Aisle.

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 04 Jul 07

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