A cloudless blue sky provided the perfect backdrop to Friday night’s appointment of Melrosian Fraser Anderson.
The evening also saw the introduction of the Melrose Festival Queen and Court for next month’s celebrations.
Festival Chairman James Marjoribanks presided over the official proceedings which were followed by a social in the Corn Exchange.
The Melrosian will be supported throughout the summer by Right-Hand Man Sam Thomson and Left-Hand Man Graeme Crawford, who carried him shoulder-high around the town square.
The Festival Queen is Charlie Hume, the grandaughter of Ex-Melrosian John Bunyan and great-grand-niece of Ex-Melrose and current Festival president, George Bunyan.
Charlie, aged 12, a pupil at the town’s primary school, will be supported by her court comprising First Attendant Katherine Donaghy; Second Attendant Heather Panter; Courtier Ruaridh Tullis; Courtier Matthew Kirk; Heralds Ben Lynch and Lex Daunas and Trainbearers Maia Thomson and Lucy Whiting.
As is tradition, Fraser, a final year criminology student at Stirling University, was named at the Ex-Melrosians’ Burns Supper in February.
The son of Ian and Vada, of Fairways in Melrose, Fraser told The Southern it was a perfect night on Friday.
He said: “It was a great night. The weather was perfect for being carried shoulder high round the square rather than in the rain. I’m really looking forward to the festival and taking part in the other festivals and common ridings – once I get my first rideout out of the way, which will be Mosspaul at Hawick Common Riding, I think I’ll feel a bit more relaxed about everything.”
Festival vice-president Douglas Hardie agreed Friday’s ceremonies– which saw Fraser presented with his Melrosian’s Rosette – had gone well: “It was a very enjoyable night and was well attended by both members of the public and visiting principals.”