The book we had obtained at Hawick contained the following description
of the Langholm "Common Riding," which was held each year on July 17th
when the people gathered together to feast on barley bannock and red
herring, of course washed down with plenteous supplies of the
indispensable whisky. The Riding began with the following proclamation
in the marketplace, given by a man standing upright on horseback, in the
presence of thousands of people:
Gentlemen,--The first thing that I am going to acquaint you with are
the names of the Portioners' Grounds of Langholm:--
Now, Gentlemen, we're gan' frae the Toun,
An' first of a' the Kil Green we gang roun',
It is an ancient place where Clay is got,
And it belangs to us by Right and Lot,
And then frae here the Lang-Wood we gang throu'
Where every ane may breckons out an' pu',
An' last of a' oor Marches they be clear,
An' when unto the Castle Craigs we come,
I'll cry the Langholm Fair and then we'll beat the drum.
Now, Gentlemen. What you have heard this day concerning going round
our Marches, it is expected that every one who has occasion for
Peats, Breckons, Flacks, Stanes, or Clay, will go out in defence of
their Property, and they shall hear the Proclamation of the Langholm
Fair upon the Castle Craigs.
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