Riding of the Linlithgow Marches! or: What an odd town we’ve moved to
A horse-drawn carriage, of which there were more than one
It’s the first Tuesday after the second Thursday in June, and everyone knows what that means.
What’s that? You aren’t familiar with the great significance of this day?
Admittedly, this is probably something that would never have mattered to me at all, had fate not sent me to live in the Ancient and Royal Burgh of Linlithgow. Such places are so old and steeped in history, that they are bound to develop eccentric mannerisms.
The particular oddity in this case is that it is a local holiday, all the shops closed, and people wished one another a “Happy Marches.”
Was this the inspiration for Lewis Carroll‘s mad March Hare? That is my theory at the moment, at any rate.
If you want to read more about the oddness, it is explained in detail over at the official Linlithgow Marches and Associated Madhatters website. If you click about a bit there are videos of previous years’ events to be found.
Alternatively, just have a look through the sample of the photos I took:
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- One of the marching bands — not marching.
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- Balloon purchasing
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- Marching Band standing and playing in one place
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- View of the Cross
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- Flaggy things in the sky
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- High population density of people in tophats and tails
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- Bands and tractors
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- Vintage Car. Maroon
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- Vintage car. White
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- Limo. Flags above. Reflections. Marching bands.
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- Bekilted persons bearing flag
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- Marching
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- Marching band closes-up
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- A horse-drawn carriage, of which there were more than one
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- People on the side of the road, looking towards the Cross
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- Toy Story Float
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- Jethro watching the procession. He is no longer impressed
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- Multiplying enthusiasm by age — this guy got the highest score for the day
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- Float of vikings
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- Old blue delivery van
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- Surreal procession overload. Time to head home
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