
Visitors
Find out more about your Visit to Langholm on Common Riding Day.
Useful Information for Visitors
Visitors to Langholm on Common Riding Day should be aware that, to experience all aspects of the Common Riding, two or three trips may be necessary.
Please be aware that the A7 closes at 8:30am, with the best areas to park located at the south end of the town, near the Co-Op supermarket.
To maximise your first trip, please take note of these useful tips:
- Due to large crowds, getting an ideal spot on the Kirk Wynd to watch the Gallop (9:10am) may mean missing the First Fair Crying (9:00am)
- Due to a conflict in times, if you wish to see the riders on Whita Hill and at the Monument itself, you will miss the assembly of the Town Band and emblems at Townfoot (10:15am)
- Also, at this time (10:15am), those with children may perhaps prefer to meet the Pipe Band at Mount Hooley (on the Kirk Wynd) to participate in the Heather Besom Parade.
- After the Second Fair Crying (11:00am), the procession makes its way up the Kirk Wynd, along Drove Road, down the Bar Brae and to the Kilngreen (at the north end of the town). ** Visitors may, instead of following this, like to proceed to the foot of the Bar Brae to get a head-on view of one of the most striking parts of the day. Please allow a fair amount of time due to the crowds.
- Next, at the Crossing of the Water onto the Castleholm, it may not be possible to watch every single horse cross prior to watching the Cornet’s Chase (11:55am). Allow time to get through the crowds, as well as congestion onto the Castleholm itself as payment at the gates is required (£10 for adults, £5 for kids)
TOP TIPS
- Allow time to get around town as it becomes extremely busy
- See as much of the ceremony as possible
- Visit more than once
- Stay on the Castleholm after the Cornet’s Chase for an afternoon of horse racing, athletics and highland dancing
- Witness the closing of the day (the Handing In of the Flag) in perhaps the most emotional part of the day.
TO ALL TAKING PART IN OR SPECTATING AT LANGHOLM COMMON RIDING EVENTS
Whilst every care has been taken by the organising Trustees, Members and relevant landowners in facilitating these events, the Trustees, Members and landowners will not be held responsible for any injury to any person taking part in any way whatsoever in the event nor liable for any damage or omissions of any participants or spectators.
It is the responsibility of those taking part, or their legal guardians in the case of minors, to ensure that participants have appropriate and adequate insurance cover for personal injury and third party liability cover and that they take all reasonable steps to ensure their own safe participation in the events. In particular in relation to equestrian events, they are advised to ensure both they and their mount are suitable and competent, that riders wear appropriate clothing, including protective head gear, and that their horses tack is in good condition.
All spectators and unmounted participants attend the Common Riding at their own risk and whilst every care has been taken by the organising Trustees and Members, they will not be held responsible for the acts or omissions of any mounted participant, unmounted participant or other spectator.
Please note that the organising Trustees and Members reserve the right to refuse any person from participating in the event.