Hawick Common Riding - Colour Bussing

One of the most interesting and colourful ceremonies, the Colour-Bussing, takes place on the Thursday evening of the Common-Riding Week. This evening has been called “ the Nicht Afore the Morn,” the last night before the big day. To many people the Common-Riding proper begins at 6 pm. on this Thursday evening. It is at this time that the Drum and Fife Band march round the town to the Town Hall for the Colour-Bussing.

The Hall is filled with excited Teries, delighted to have been lucky enough to get tickets. The balcony is crowded with the Cornet's supporters whose singing gets everyone in the right mood.

The Provost and magistrates are led into their places on the stage by the Drum and Fife Band. Then come the Lasses. The Cornet's Lass is a young, unmarried lady chosen by the Cornet to perform her important duties. She is accompanied by the Lasses of the two previous Cornets and the Maids of Honour. They all look very pretty in their summer dresses. The Cornet's Lass carries the Flag to the front of the hall, leaving it with the Right and Left Lasses as she mounts the platform. She “ busses “ the Flag from the platform by tying ribbons of blue and gold to the head of the staff. This is just as in olden times when women decorated their men as a sign of affection and good luck before they went off to war.

The Lass then hands the Flag to the Provost saying that she hopes he finds it “well and truly bussed”. This he does and after congratulating her he presents her with a medallion to remind her of this occasion.

The Cornet wears his official uniform for the first time for this ceremony. The Cornet and his Right and Left-Hand Men have been guarded by Halberdiers in eighteenth century dress. They now come forward. The Lass gives the Cornet his crimson sash of office. The Provost hands him the Flag for safe keeping. He instructs the Cornet to “ ride the meiths and marches of the commonty of Hawick according to ancient custom”. At the end of his duties he has to make sure he retums the Flag to the Provost in the Council Chambers “ unsullied and unstained”. The Cornet then replies promising that with the help of his mounted supporters he will carry out this important duty.

At the end of this part of the ceremony the chief guest speaker for the year makes a speech. This is followed by a programme of song singing ending of course with “ Teribus”.

The Colour-Bussing was not always conducted in this way. In the l860s, for instance there was no public ceremony. The bussing took place in the house of the chief magistrate, also sometimes in local bars. The Flag was displayed from one of the windows. While the celebrations carried on the Burgh Officers, dressed in long coats, knee breeks and Sunday hats, paraded the streets. They carried halberts and marched with the bands. They were announcing the beginning of another Common-Riding. At certain houses they halted. They put down their weapons and were given refreshments from a young lady. She was decorated with flowers and ribbons. Afterwards they had some snuff at the Auld Brig, which was the custom in those days. Then they marched to the Town Hall to wait for the Cornet.

In 1887 the Ceremonial Committee was formed. The Colour-Bussing was moved to the Town Hall. Ten years later the public were allowed to attend and it became the popular and important ceremony it is today.

Immediately after the ceremony in the Town Hall the Halberdier makes an official proclamation from a balcony to the people waiting outside:

“These are to give advertisement to all the burgesses within the Burgh and Town of Hawick, and Burgesses outwith the same, that the Provost, Bailies and Council are to ride the marches of the Commonty of Hawick upon Friday, the ......... day of June instant as hath ever been usual. Therefore warning all the said Burgesses to attend the Provost, Bailies and Council that day in their best apparel to the end aforesaid.

Then begins the Cornet's Walk around the town. He is preceded by the Saxhorn and Drum and Fife Bands and followed by the supporters all on foot. They stop at the “Horse”, the 1514 Memorial. Here the Cornet climbs a ladder to pay tribute to his centuries old predecessor by “bussing” the bronze flag on the statue This was introduced in 1923 and is now watched by large cheering crowds.