WATCH: Selkirk Standard Bearer reveals leading the Common Riding was 'best day ever!'

Author: Ally McGilvrayPublished 13th Jun 2025
Last updated 13th Jun 2025

His smile stretched from one end of town to the other.

Local physiotherapist Darren Knox flew the flag for Selkirk at this year's Common Riding - and then declared it the "best day ever!"

He led a cavalcade of horses on a ride round the boundaries of the Royal Burgh this morning (Friday); the culmination of a series of events to celebrate its history.

And crowds of well-wishers lined the streets to show their support.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio following the annual Casting of the Colours ceremony, Darren said: "Coming into the Market Place on the horse and just seeing a sea of people, what a feeling that was!

"I can only thank the people of Selkirk, and beyond, for coming out and supporting - not only me, but the town - on our big day; it's made it so much more special.

"That's some feeling standing up there and just seeing everybody, it was unbelievable."

WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video report...

It was an early start for many in the town, with the flute band rousing residents at 4am.

Traffic on the A7 was brought to a halt while the town remembered its fallen during a special service at the war memorial before the festivities got underway.

The event commemorates the Battle of Flodden in 1513 - when 80 men left the town to fight and only one returned.

Darren's appointment as Standard Bearer comes more than a decade after he first served as Attendant.

"What a journey it's been," he reflected. "Not only over the last kind of five weeks (since his unveiling) but the last 11 years; from when I was first Attendant to get to this point, it's been so, so good."

When asked what the Common Riding means to him, Darren replied: "It means everything. It's obviously reliving what we used to do back in the day; how proud we all are to come from here; and you see the people who have come out today, what a feeling it is to be leading it.

"I wish I could do it again now because it went so quick." But he added: "It's been brilliant - best day ever!"

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