The horses kept coming

Well, well, well. Who would have thought that we would arrive slap bang in the middle of Jethart Callants Festival but I'm getting ahead of myself, more of that later.

Lovely and peaceful night was had, hardly any phone signal and internet was pretty abysmal too! Made a change and an early night was had. It was 6.30 am then, when those big logging lorries started work but this wonderful location made up for that inconvenience. I'm sure this place will be put on our 'most like to stay the night' spot for future reference. So it was off to Jedburgh today. We booked our slot for the Abbey and Castle goal and all we had to do was get there for 10.30 am. 

Up over the brow of the hill on the A68 and we said hello to Scotland. Jedburgh was only a few miles further on.

About a mile from town and we were flagged down by the Police. Well, not exactly flagged down, just told to slow because a long procession of people were walking along the road.

"Wonder what's going on," we said to each other. Oh, gosh...got toward the town and it looked chocker! There was a fair in the one car park we had planned to pull into, and had real worries that there would be nowhere for us to stop. Another car park next to the Abbey also looked full but Ian gave it a go anyway. 

Horse boxes were everywhere and a space was found right next to one. That was a bit of luck! We still had no idea what all this was about and just about to set off for the Abbey when a band was heard close by. We followed the sound and came to this.

 

 

Drums, pipers and a brass band, what a great combination and very well performed.

Leaving them to it, we headed for the Abbey. Most imposing standing as it does on the skyline, and we were looking forward to exploring the ruins. Unfortunately this was not to be because some masonry had become dangerous and no way would they want a big chunk to fall on the visitor. So it was closed! What we did find out though was why there was so many people in Jedburgh. It was all to do with the Jethart Callants Festival.

Jethart (Jedburgh) Callants Festival marked by several traditional Common Riding and other local events, culminating in Festival Day on Friday. The first Rideout on Sunday afternoon commemorates the town’s alliance with Kelso during the troubled times of the Border Reivers. The fifth Queen’s Ride follows the route that Mary Queen of Scots took to visit the wounded Earl of Bothwell at Hermitage Castle. On Festival Day itself here is a final Rideout to Ferniehurst Castle.

 This was the final day and we would be greeted by an amazing sight. All we had to do was grab our place at the side of the road and wait roughly an hour. When a Police car came tearing down the hill to stop any traffic from going up, we knew the procession was on its way.

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The old name for Jedburgh is Jethart and the Callants Festival is a long celebration marked by several traditional Common Riding and other local events, culminating in Festival Day on the Friday. It dates back to the mid Twentieth century but commemorates events much further back in the history of the town. The first Rideout on the Sunday afternoon commemorates the town’s alliance with Kelso during the troubled times of the Border Reivers; the Callant meets the Kelso Laddie and wreaths are laid at Morebattle War Memorial. The fifth Queen’s Ride follows the route that Mary Queen of Scots took to visit the wounded Earl of Bothwell at Hermitage Castle. On Festival Day itself here is a final Rideout to Ferniehurst Castle with special local songs and music.

Once we saw the last horse and pony past, it was off to the castle and goal. 

Now this was worth the visit, completely free to get in, although they do appreciate a small donation of about a fiver each. We were more than happy to pay that. Plenty of stories of those that resided in the cells and this was another of those places Most Haunted had visited. We were told this was the most haunted castle in Scotland! Several evenings a week they do ghost tours and a few hardy visitors even take sleeping bags determined to stay the night. As the guide told us, most leave after a couple of hours!

And in a small museum memories were brought back

1960s wear.

1971 and I was nearly two years into my veterinary nurse training when decimalisation came in. I struggled like mad with it, and to this day I still think in feet and inches.

 

 Back into town and just in time to see the dignitaries arrive.

 

 Time to head back to a camp site but first, with MB's tank well under a quarter, a petrol station was required. At Hawick, we found the cheapest diesel we had seen for a while, £1.95, at least 4p cheaper than anywhere else. Doesn't sound a lot, but every little helps!

Stopped at a CC site right by another farm. Only room for 5 vans, so we were lucky to get the last remaining spot. We had tried several, two were booked and one had availability but at £50 a night, we gave that a miss! We had to go find somewhere as it was time for water and loo emptying, a necessary part of our touring life. 

Tomorrow we head back to Kielder Forest, it's midge season, so I expect my Jungle insect repellent will be well used!