For much of Lowland Scotland, the Common Riding, Lanimer Day or Riding the Marches has become an integral part of town and burgh life. Brought to nationwide attention in 1996 when women tried to ride in Hawick’s Common Riding, the week-long celebrations held in many burghs are a part of life in the Lowlands and Central belt. For the first time, Kenneth Bogle introduces us to the tradition, its histories and the events as they have changed over the years in towns as diverse as Galashiels, Hawick, Lanark, Langholm, Peebles and Selkirk.