Appointment Night in April was an important one for these five Souters. Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall is flanked here by his Attendants – behind, Darren Knox and Thomas Bell and in front, Scott Rodgerson and Adam Nichol.
Greg is an auctioneer and valuer with Richard Turner and Sons at Bentham, North Yorkshire.
He was at Attendant in 2004 to Colin Squance; 2005 (Scott Tomlinson); 2007 (Alasdair Craig); 2011 (Michael Craig) and 2013 (Martin Rodgerson). His uncle, the 1976 Standard Bearer James Heatlie, is the Senior Burgh Officer. His father Ewan was the Merchant Company Standard Bearer in 1999, and his cousin Alistair Heatlie cast the Colonial Flag in 2009.
Darren is about to leave Selkirk High School and hopes to study physiotherapy at university. He rode his first Common Riding as a nine-year-old in 2005 behind Standard Bearer Scott Tomlinson.
Thomas is studying Horticulture and Garden Design at Oatridge College in Edinburgh and works part time on the green keeping team at The Woll golf course. His first Common Riding in the saddle was in 2011.
Scott first rode the Common Riding at the age of six and has now been round 21 times. This is his fourth term as Attendant following on from 2005, 2006 and 2010. He’s a warehouse manager at Dash Components in the town.
Adam is a third-year apprentice butcher at J.A.Waters and Sons and was an Attendant last year. He’s a product of the Young Souters Association which he joined on its formation and plays with the Silver Band.