Riding the Marches revival celebrates 30th anniversary

The annual Riding the Marches will take place tomorrow, Sunday, and is the 30th anniversary since its revival in 1986, when it was performed as part of the celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the granting of Kirkwall’s Royal Charter, by King James III, in 1486.

This year’s standard bearer is Sharon Nixon, riding her horse Hartson. The honour is in recognition of Sharon’s many years of involvement in the local equestrian scene and she is the current treasurer of Orkney Riding Club.

The procession begins in Broad Street at 2pm, when OIC convener, Councillor Steven Heddle, will hand over the Burgh Standard.

This year, the horses and riders follow will follow the wet weather route to avoid the bridle-paths.

The procession will leave Broad Street and go down Albert Street and Bridge Street joining Shore Road out to Weyland, through Annfield Crescent on to Berstane Road to Berstane Loan, then down Inganess Loan, Easdale Loan on the Holm Road before heading down the Holm Branch and out to Scapa for 3.30pm.

The carriages follow a different route visiting Lambaness, St Rognvalds and Eunsons Kloss, however both groups arrive at Scapa Beach and return to Broad Street at the same time.

The horses and riders will follow the same route as previous years after the stop at Scapa Beach.

Spectators are very welcome at Broad Street but, for their own safety, are reminded that they should only view the event from behind the barriers, and please keep a safe distance from the procession at all other times.

Vehicle drivers who may encounter the horses and carriages during the afternoon are also urged to be careful and considerate, as they have been in previous years.