Wave of anticipation mounts in Jedburgh ahead of Royal visit
Last updated 30th Jun 2026
Hundreds of school children in Jedburgh are to be given their own flags to wave – to welcome the King to town on Thursday.
Councillors have agreed to spend £1,835 on Saltires and Union Jacks, at a cost of more than £2 each – using cash from the town’s Common Good Fund.
A special meeting of the sub-committee last night (Monday) heard children from Ancrum would be joining youngsters from Jedburgh Grammar Campus at the event.
Councillors also agreed to cover the £3,120 cost of hiring the horses for the mounted parade planned on the day, which it’s hoped will give the Royal visitor a glimpse of the Borders summer festivals.
His Majesty – who witnessed the Casting of the Colours in Selkirk during his last visit to the Scottish Borders in 2023 - will watch a procession led by the Callant before he dismounts to perform a traditional reel.
The application from Jethart Callant’s Festival, which supported the funding request, stated: "Being part of the King’s visit parade will promote the Festival, Jedburgh and provide a high point in the parade showing off our local traditions to the King."
And it added: "Residents who attend will be uplifted by the spectacle."
The King will also be invited to start a game of hand ba’ - a historic street sport played annually in Jedburgh since 1704 - before meeting members of the public and visiting local businesses.
His Majesty will also be shown the recently refurbished Jedforest Bandstand, which was opened by The Princess Royal in April 2006 - the last time the town was visited by a member of the Royal Family.
Meanwhile, a volunteer tourism group has been awarded £10,000 to help promote the area following a series of shop closures.
Jedburgh Tourism Alliance plans to spend the cash on leaflets, its website, photography and improved signage.
The submission stated: “The excellent businesses that remain, many of award-winning, national quality, struggle as all of the hospitality sector is currently in the UK.
“This is an essential time for the town to invest in tourism funding. Quite simply, all the work that this funding will support will increase footfall into the town.
“The JTA cannot massively affect whether businesses open or close on a short term basis, but it is the organisation best placed to present the best possible face to the outside world.”
Road closures
A number of road closures will be in place across Jedburgh town centre on Thursday, July 2nd, to accommodate the King's visit.
The High Street will be closed, from Market Place to Smith’s Wynd, from 8am to 5pm on July 2nd.
Access to the Coop supermarket will be maintained via Queen Street and Smiths Wynd. High Street businesses will be accessible on foot.
Abbey Bridge End, Abbey Place, Market Place, Castlegate, Exchange Street, Canongate will all be closed from 9am to 5pm.
Alternatives routes: Castlegate closure – via B6358, A698 and A68; Exchange Street closure – via C38, A698 and A68.
Parking restrictions
Parking will be prohibited on the following roads from 6pm on Wednesday, July 1st, to 5pm on Thursday, July 2nd:
Abbey Bridge End, Abbey Place, Market Place, High Street, Castlegate, Exchange Street, Canongate, and Deans Close. In addition, the A68 – from Oxnam Road to Bongate; and Oxnam Road – from A68 to Wildcat Gate.
The following car parks will be closed between 1am and 5pm on Thursday, July 2nd: Murrays Green, The Glebe and Canongate.
Limited disabled parking will be available in the Canongate car park with access from 10.30am.
Shuttle bus
The bus service will operate as normal.
A free park and ride shuttle bus, operated by Peter Hoggs of Jedburgh, will also run from Jedburgh Woollen Mill to the town centre - every 15 minutes, from 10am to 3pm, on Thursday.
Medical appointments
Patients attending appointments at Jedburgh Medical Practice on Thursday, July 2nd, are being advised to plan ahead and take the road closures and parking restrictions into account. Access to the practice will remain available via Queen Street and on foot.
Waste collections
Some waste collections in and around Jedburgh on Thursday are being moved to Sunday instead.
Scottish Borders Council is asking residents to put their bins out by 7am for pick up.
The following streets will be affected by the temporary change to waste collections: Abbey Bridge End, Abbey Close, Abbey Place, Atholl Court, Burn Wynd, Canongate, Castlegate, Crown Lane, Exchange Street, Friarsgate, High Street, Lanton Road, Market Place, Ninians Bell Close, Queen Marys Buildings, Queen Street, and properties on the C38 from Farmhouse to Wellwood, including The Broch, Wellwood, Tudhope Farmhouse and Tudhope Cottage.
Arrangements for all trade waste collections will be made in advance of the royal visit to minimise disruption.
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