Riding the Marches

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The badge of The Royal Burgh of Linlithgow is a Black Bitch chained to an oak tree, which grows on an island.  An ancient tale tells us of a black greyhound whose master had been imprisoned on an island in the middle of the loch and sentenced to starve to death.  The greyhound used to swim out every day to her master with food and ended up saving his life.  The dog, as punishment for this, was in turn chained to a tree on the island and left to die. The locals took the symbol of the dog's loyalty and bravery as their own and so those who have been born in Linlithgow are proud to be known as "Black Bitches".  It is sometimes said (in jest) that all others are "Strangers", but it is also true that the motto of our town is "Saint Michael is kind to strangers". Saint Michael being the Patron Saint of Linlithgow.

In days gone by Linlithgow was a very important town on the road between Edinburgh and Stirling.  The Kings of Scotland maintained a palace on the "peel" (a defended place) beside the loch and the town prospered, not just because of the royalty and nobility who visited, but also through the industry of the many and varied Trade Guilds.  Indeed the Burgh was responsible for maintaining one of the Scots units of measurement, the Bushel (a measure of dry volume).

Riding the Marches was the process whereby the Provost and the Deacons of the various trade guilds would visit all parts of the Burgh and verify that the high standards of quality and workmanship were being maintained.  This ceremony is carried out to this day in Linlithgow.

The First Tuesday after the Second Thursday (in June) is the Riding of the Marches

The first recorded date for the Riding of the Marches is Easter 1541, chosen by Linlithgow’s first Provost, Henry Forest of Magdalenes.  The logic behind this date is religion and the weather.  The weather seems likely to have persuaded the Provost to wait long enough into spring to ensure a reasonable day but not too far into the year in order to repair winter storm damage.  The religious element involved the blessing of the bounds by a priest.  The Riding of the Marches continued to be celebrated on this date until 1767 when the Provost, Magistrates and Councillors decided without explanation to move the Whitsun Fair to the second Thursday in June.  Marches Day would then be the following Tuesday.  It has been so ever since.

For a full history of this event please see the official website or click on the badge below.  The website opens in a new window.