City spurs on for ancient riding

Edinburgh Riding of the Marches is to be held on 6 September

Hundreds of horses will parade through Edinburgh's streets during a festival which dates back hundreds of years.

The Edinburgh Riding of the Marches is to be revived after an absence of more than 60 years.

The 2009 event on 6 September will see 250 horses and riders dressed in bright sashes travel from Tower Farm stables, in the Braid Hills, into the city.

The procession will gallop up the Royal Mile until it reaches the Mercat Cross opposite Edinburgh's City Chambers.

The last time the festival took place was in 1946 as a victory march to celebrate the end of World War II.

Now, some 250 horses will gallop through the streets of the capital after enthusiastic rider Ian Douglas read about the centuries-old tradition and decided to restore it.

I think it is terrific, it's one of the old traditions of Edinburgh and deserves to be revived George Grubb Edinburgh's Lord Provost

On Monday, a ceremonial banner was handed over to Mr Douglas by the city's Lord Provost in a ceremony to mark the official re-launch of the event.

Mr Douglas, who has been elected captain of riding, said: "I think from a nostalgic point of view it will be fantastic and hopefully we will be able to hold it on an annual basis.

"In 1946 it was held to mark the end of the war and 250,000 people lined the streets with 70 horses and riders taking part.

"I am delighted at this opportunity and it is a great honour to be asked to carry the banner and lead the modern march."

The Riding of the Marches was last held as an annual event in 1718 and had been running since the original occasion in 1579.

It was held as a way for officials to inspect the common land and boundary markers of the city to prevent unlawful encroachment.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb, said: "I think it is terrific, it's one of the old traditions of Edinburgh and deserves to be revived.

"I can imagine the spectacle of 250 riders on horseback going up the Royal Mile. It will be absolutely terrific."

While Mr Douglas, 37, will be the principal rider as captain, he will be joined by first officer Pc Stephen McGill and second officer councillor Iain Whyte.