This historic event has taken place for many hundreds of years originating from a time when it was vital for a community to make sure that its boundaries were intact. The event takes place on the first Tuesday after the second Thursday each year.
The whole community comes together to celebrate Linlithgow on this day with a shared sense of history and local pride still very visible. To take part from the beginning you’ll need to be ready for a 5am start! The day begins when the residents are awakened by flute and drum: as they would have been in the 14th century when the first recorded Riding took place. At 6am the town piper then makes his rounds, to reawaken those that have fallen back to sleep. At 7am, the Linlithgow Reed Band march from the West Port to the house of the elected Provost for some good conversation and refreshment.
The full parade departs from the High Street at 11am, heading for Linlithgow Bridge and onto Blackness. The crowds reconvene later in the day at 5pm at Lowport and head towards the Ancient Cross Well which they will circle 3 times. This concludes with a final singalong of Auld Lang Syne on the steps of the Burgh Halls.
