Hawick Common Riding

The first of the Cornet's Chases occurs on the Thursday evening of the week before the Common-Riding. The Chases take place up a hill called the Nipknowes, on the way to St. Leonard's Farm. It is part of an interesting ceremony called the “Ordering of the Curds and Cream”. At the farm a local caterer is asked to prepare the traditional dish of curds and cream. This dish will act as a refreshment during the Common-Riding the next week.

The actual “Ordering” began in 1886. However, it is not known when the first curds and cream were eaten during the Common-Riding. For many, many years the dish was eaten by people in Scotland. It was also the dish most often given by friendly farmers to Cornets when they were riding the marches. Years ago the Cornet and the Right and Left-Hand Men were alone when they visited the farthest point of the common land. There was no ceremony when they called on these farmers. But over the years the numbers of people riding with the Cornet increased and it became a Common-Riding custom.

Nowadays, the man who will act as the Cornet's Father (the Acting Father) is also presented with his badge of office. The Acting Father is chosen by the Cornet. He, along with the Common-Riding Committee, helps the Cornet perform his duties and keep up to time, etc. He also acts as Senior Magistrate during the Common-Riding. Before the company head back to Hawick they sing “Teribus” in front of St. Leonard's Farmhouse.

Following the Chases on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings of the next week, the second major chase takes place on the Thursday morning. The Cornet carries the Flag for the first time. The Flag is “unbussed”. It is not officially handed to him till the Colour-Bussing later. This Chase, however, marks the fact that some years ago the marches were ridden on the Thursday instead of the Friday as today.

At approximately 8.45 a.m. on the Friday morning the Principals, i.e., the Cornet, the Right and Left-Hand Men and the Acting Father mount their horses. They are followed by a large number of supporters - sometimes as many as 300 - and they all set off in procession round the town. After the High Street they ride up the Loan to the Nipknowes where the main Chase takes place.

A feature of the Chases is that the riders are divided into two groups - the unmarried riders, nearly all young, and the married riders, mostly older.

First comes the Acting Father's Chase. The married riders gallop up the hill behind the Acting Father. Then, with the Flag held high, the Cornet dashes forward, his Right and Left-Hand Men spurring furiously at his heels. A hurricane of unmarried riders follows. There are ringing cheers from the crowds on the slopes as they thunder past.

The Chase could represent the youths of Hawick returning in triumph from the Battle of Hornshole as they proudly follow the captured Flag to the cheers of the local people. The Chase could also represent the Bailies and local people “chasing” intruders from the common lands. Very often they were chased in the direction of other lairds'' property.

At the end of the Chase the Cornet hands the Flag to the Acting Father in his role as Senior Magistrate. The senior bailie received the Flag in olden times. He carries it to the Hut at St. Leonard's. Here the riders are refreshed with the Curds and Cream ordered the week before. They are joined by friends and guests. After a brief rest spent in toasts, speeches and song the Principals again sing “Teribus” in front of the farmhouse. Then the riders remount to follow the Cornet on the important duty of riding the marches.

Many years ago the Chases were an important part of the Common-Riding as today. However, they started at the bottom of the Loan. In those days the Loan was open country and the road was surrounded by fields. But as Hawick grew larger and houses were built in the Loan the Chases became more dangerous because crowds of sightseers lined the road. There were indeed accidents. In 1876 someone was killed. The Cornet and some of his supporters were actually arrested. This led to the Chases being moved to the Nipknowes.