A day of sunshine and smiles with tradition, pageantry and the skirl o’ the pipes was enjoyed at Annan Riding of the Marches on Saturday.
Convener Stuart Thompson said: “It was a fantastic day all round. The streets were thronged with crowds and we are grateful to everyone who took part or helped in any way, the businesses who helped with funding or in kind, and the hardworking committees and this year’s principals, as well as the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway branch. Amazing support.”
From Buzz Lightyear to the Vikings and tributes to ABBA and Tina Turner, the fun-filled gala day procession was awash with imaginative costumes, colour and music, as floats, small vehicles and walkers competed for trophies and cash prizes.
The pride of procession prize was awarded to Fiona Evans and crew’s ET Productions for Peter Rabbit, with Annan Enable winning The Rotary Club Shield and Annan Rugby Club awarded the Lower Annandale Cup.
The fancy dress winner was the School of Little Horrors and the Brian O’Neill Trophy went to Biggles. The new David Taylor Shield went to Gallus Productions for most humorous.
Vintage tractors, pipe bands and Annan Town Band added to the carnival atmosphere.
The parade attracted crowds in their thousands to cheer on the 90-strong horse cavalcade headed by Cornet Oran Keenan, Cornet’s Lass Kirsty Cooper and Standard Bearer Hilda McClanachan. Joining them were Queen of the Border Roxy Nicholson, her champion, Elliot Oakes, and the royal retinue.
It was followed by an afternoon of fun at Annan Academy playing fields and the biggest pipe band competition in south west Scotland.
There was a triple success in the chase awards with the Kane family collecting three – Adrian (Cornet’s chase); Margaret (Cornet’s Lass) and Tara (juvenile). Bud Little from Lockerbie won the open chase; Kay Edgar won the junior chase; and the best turned-out horses on the day awards were won by Clare McNay from Dumfries (female) and Ewan Douglas (male).
