CORNET Jamie Mackay revealed he turned his back on a place in the Tartan Army at this year's World Cup after being asked to take on the top job in Peebles' Beltane calendar.
The Cornet Elect told more than 80 members and guests packed into the Tontine Hotel for the Royal Burgh of Peebles Callants Club Annual Supper that, while he had been planning to follow Scotland to the USA, the call to serve as Cornet was one he simply could not refuse.
He said: "I thought my summer was sorted and I was on my way to America. That was until the knock came at the door and I didn't have to think twice to accept the offer of being Cornet for 2026."
The annual supper, a traditional fixture in the Beltane week - filled with food, drink, speeches, music and poetry, was held at the Tontine Hotel on Monday evening (June 15), with Chief Callant Allan MacKenzie overseeing the evening's proceedings with diligence and good humour throughout.
President Dougie Millar addressed the gathering and spoke of his hope that the Beltane Festival, an important part of the town's history and culture, would thrive for many years to come.
However, he did not shy away from sounding a note of caution, highlighting the challenges around funding the Borders festivals going forward.
"Treasures from the past must be protected," he told the room.
Joining Cornet Jamie at the top table was his proud father Scott Mackay, along with David Thorburn - dad of Beltane Queen Grace Thorburn - Warden of Neidpath Jim Currie and Senior Guest Callant John Moore.
The Toast to the Royal Burgh of Peebles was given by Calum Kerr, the recently elected MSP for the area, who in doing so followed in the footsteps of his late father Rob Kerr, the former rector of Peebles High School, who had given the very same toast at the supper in 1988.
Calum brought his father's speech with him on the night and reflected that its themes, the importance of community and of playing your part in making a place all it can be, ring just as true today.
He spoke warmly of his father's contribution to the town as a school leader and of how the Callants embody that same spirit of commitment and service.
He said: "Places only thrive when people are prepared to contribute something to them. Peebles is my home, my town, it's where I belong and thanks for the chance to stop and think why it's so important to me."
The reply was made by Callant Allan Beveridge, who warmly welcomed the new MSP and praised his genuine engagement with the community, noting that his presence at common ridings and festivals spoke of a man who attended not out of duty but out of a real desire to be part of community life.
As a former police officer, Mr Beveridge also took the opportunity to make a direct appeal to Mr Kerr, calling for more local officers on the beat and a dedicated traffic warden for the town.
The toast to the Callants Club was given by Drew Moore, the West Linton Whipman of 2003, who delivered a funny and warmly received speech.
He paid heartfelt tribute to the club for all they do in the community, from fixing footpaths and repairing benches to clearing trees, town clean-ups and building things for local groups and nurseries.
Ex-Cornet David Aitken, who rode as Cornet in 2002 and then became Chief Callant Allan MacKenzie's trusted right-hand man the following year, replied in kind. His speech was filled with jokes and tales that kept the room laughing throughout.
Cornet Jamie, who is also a Callant, spoke with obvious pride about what the role means to him and to Peebles, and lavished praise on the club for its tireless work in the community throughout the year.
"The only thing at the forefront of every project or task this club undertakes is the very best intentions of improving the place we all call home," he said.
The evening also marked a special milestone for Callant Drew Fraser, a long-standing favourite at the supper for his poems and songs.
With the support of the Callants Club and Peebles solicitors Blackwood and Smith, Drew has published 45 Years of Poems and Songs, and every Callant present was gifted a copy on the night. The book is also available to buy at Whittie's bookshop in the town.
Congratulations were extended to Callant Arthur Crittell, marking 50 years since his time as Cornet, and to Callant David McGrath, celebrating 25 years since his second spell in the role.
Throughout the night, songs were sung with great gusto, none more proudly than the Beltane Song, with musicians Hendry White, Dave Robb, Alan Hunter and Colin Fairbairn providing wonderful entertainment and accompaniment from start to finish.
The traditional vote of thanks was given by Callant Bert Ferguson, bringing the formal proceedings to a close, though as ever the night's celebrations continued long after with stories, songs and additional refreshments.
