Riding of the Marches Parade, Royal Mile, Edinburgh 09 09 12

RIDING OF THE MARCHES PARADE - The Edinburgh Riding of the Marches is a traditional event that sees some 250 horseback riders riding en masse from the outskirts of Edinburgh to the high street in the city centre. First recorded in 1579, although the tradition is believed to have continued since King David I granted Edinburgh its common land in 1143 around the time of the formation of Holyrood Abbey. Riders rode to the corners of the city's common land until 1718. There was a one-off event to mark the end of the war in 1946. In 2009, the tradition of riding the marches was reintroduced as part of the Homecoming Scotland celebrations and has continued each year since then. The ride sets off in the early hours from the Drum marking the Southern most boundary of the City Of Edinburgh. The procession ends with the equestrians riding up the Royal Mile to the Mercat Cross opposite Edinburgh City Chambers, where a declaration is made to the Lord Provost.