'It was emotional - but it was brilliant'
Last updated 11th Jun 2022
"It was emotional - but it was brilliant."
Those are the words of the Hawick Cornet's Left Hand Man, Gareth Renwick, after leading a cavalcade of horses on a gallop up the golf course on Friday morning.
This is the end of his time in the role - which started with him fronting the festivities in 2018.
"To see everybody lining the Vertish was unbelievable," he told Radio Borders outside the Hut. "The Cornet led a great chase, which is another great start to a great weekend.
"I think you can see how much it means to everybody in Hawick, and everybody in the Borders - how busy everywhere is and the buzz around the town; so, it's brilliant to have it back."
Click on the video below to view some more highlights from the day...
Scotland rugby star Stuart Hogg, who hails from Hawick, was among the riders following the Cornet on horseback.
Local historian Ian Landles said: "The crowds that are out for everything - through the rideouts and all the build-up - are bigger than ever; it just shows how much it has been missed.
"It's just such an integral part of Hawick life, and to have done without it for two years (due to Covid); it's just wonderful to be back."
The Hawick Common-Riding is the first of the Border Common Ridings and celebrates both the capture of an English Flag in 1514 by the youth of Hawick at a place called Hornshole and the ancient custom of riding the marches or boundaries of the common land.
Mr Landles added: "It's an event which brings the whole community together and brings exiles back from all over the world. Our calender is worked out from how many weeks it is to the Common Riding - and it will not be long until the next one."