Duns still Dings A'

"Wi' lads singing, wi' hooves ringing
And standard straining braw-
Past the Castle's grey auld towers
And ower the Law;
Frae Merse clear tae Lammermuir.
The wind, blawing Caller-Pure,
Will joy to hear the galloping cheer
For it's Duns dings a!"

You will of course recognise the chorus from 'The Reiver's Gallop' written by the Rev.Hugh Mackay as long ago as 1974. Huttonian came across it in the Duns Summer Festival programme-a snip at £2.50 at most outlets in Duns. The week begins tomorrow with the Kirkin' O' Reiver (I doubt if the 15th century lot went any where near a Kirk) and ends next Saturday with the Closin' Ceremony.

One of the images in the souvenir programme show the 1958 Reiver on his 'Rideout' stopping for a glass of milk at Borthwick Quarry

A Glass of Milk!

Did Robin Hood and his Merry Men take time out from robbing the rich for a nice cup of tea, two lumps and just as it comes?

Nice thought.

In the meantime the Festival will be worth a visit-especially the Ba' Game, about which more, later.

If I am spared

(Yes, yes I have used this image before of three Reivers waiting for someone to bring them their milk as a horse enjoys his greens. The telephone pole adds a touch of modernity to this ancient scene)

Labels: Duns Summer Festival, Reivers

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