HISTORY was honoured and traditions upheld as Souters celebrated yet another successful and emotional Common Riding.

And nothing provides focus on those cherished customs more than the Casting of the Colours.

Silver skies illuminated the true-blue and scarlet bunting that decorates the ancient Market Place on Friday morning.

And beneath, high on the plinth, centuries-old heritage was about to be continued for a further year.

Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Craig Monks led by example as he cast the Burgh Flag with precision and perfect timing.

To the tune that every Selkirk child has grown up with, Up Wi’ the Souters, each of his fellow Standard Bearers, representing the town’s ancient incorporations, also showed that they have perfected this time-served craft.

Aaron McColm showed no nerves as he allowed the Hammermen’s Flag to flutter in the gentle breeze before casting with authority.

Darren Miller, son of Provost Keith, made sure his family and his Weavers corporation would be proud with another perfectly timed cast.

Marc Spence’s smile was proof enough of his fine job with the Fleshers’ Standard.

Bruce Riddell has previously watched his brother, Kieran, cast both the Hammermen’s and the Royal Burgh flags in recent years.

And he was equal to his sibling’s faultless casts with the Merchant Company flag.

Bruce later told us: “Every second of the practices and doing the actual cast itself has been amazing.

“I’ve watched my brother doing it, and my father has told me about his time as Standard Bearer, but nothing they said could have prepared for me that today – it was unbelievable.”

Stuart Smith had flown in from Florida to cast the Colonial Flag with perfection.

And concluding the memorable morning ceremony was Justin Gilchrist for the Ex-Soldiers’ Association.

The former Royal Signals operator from Paisley only moved to Selkirk four years ago – but the significance of the occasion wasn’t lost on him.

He said: “My wife, Fiona, is from Selkirk so I knew all about the Common Riding long before I moved to the town.

“I joined the Ex-Soldiers’ Association as soon as I moved here and I’ve wanted to be Standard Bearer for a while now.

“It was really emotional up there – it far exceeded all expectations.”

As if by arrangement, just seconds after the conclusion to the ceremony with the Royal Burgh Flag returned to Provost Keith Miller, the heavens suddenly opened.

For Provost Miller, who was serving his first of three years in post, the 2019 Common Riding couldn’t have gone any better.

He said: “The weather was a worry in the days leading up to Common Riding day, but it has all been fine in the end.

“I can’t believe how smoothly everything has gone.

“Our Standard Bearer has been a credit to his family and his town. Craig has been brilliant – not just today, but in the days and weeks leading up to the Common Riding.

“It’s been a great Common Riding.”