FRAE a’ the airts they will come on Friday to take part in one of Scotland’s most epic historical celebrations.

It may be small but Selkirk knows how to honour its past and look to its future.

And throughout Friday morning thousands from near and far will savour the special day that is Selkirk Common Riding.

The build-up fuse has been slowly burning for the past couple of months with dinners, flag practices and the growing number of other civic duties bestowed on the principals.

And in the early hours of Friday, June 13, the explosion of cheer, song and colour will finally detonate.

In Greg MacDougall they have a Royal Burgh Standard Bearer they know, like all who have gone before him, will do their town proud.

The 27-year-old has spent much of his life either riding in or looking out to the hills above his hometown.

And just before 7am on Friday he will take charge of the Royal Burgh Flag and lead a mounted cavalcade of up to 400 around those beloved boundaries.

The town’s bands will play, the ancient Associations and Corporations will add their own colour and Souters frae a’ the airts will laugh, sing and make merry on this special day.

It is a day of remembrance, it is a day of custom, and above all it is a day to brim with pride if you are a Souter.