CENTURIES of tradition were on display as hundreds of horses and riders took over the streets of Edinburgh.

Crowds of onlookers lined the capital’s streets for the Riding of the Marches, a historic event which dates back to the 16th century.

It sees riders make a seven-hour journey from the Braid Hills towards the city, ending at the Mercat Cross on the Royal Mile. Now an annual event, it returned to Edinburgh in 2009 after a gap of more than 60 years.

The colourful spectacle sees the appointed Edinburgh Captain and Lass lead horses up the Royal Mile, where they return the city flag to the Lord Provost.
The Riding of the Marches was first recorded in the capital in 1579 and was held on a regular basis until 1718, where the purpose was to inspect the boundary markers of Edinburgh.

The riding tradition, known as “common riding” in the Borders, is believed to date as far back as the 12th century, when Scottish towns were granted a charter, effectively creating the birth of the town.

This year’s Edinburgh Captain was Paul Richards, 25, a senior player with Boroughmuir Rugby Club.

Joining him for the cavalcade was 26-year-old Cheryl McVay-Edwards, who was chosen as the 2016 Edinburgh Lass.

The city flag presented to the Lord Provost is held within the City Chambers but appears on public display several times a year when the Edinburgh Captain carries it on official engagements.