Annan Riding of the Marches is one of the largest and oldest historic traditional ceremonies in Southwest Scotland dating back almost 700 years.

It was documented that a ‘March Riding’ starting around 1680 was required to inspect landmarks such as crosses, cairns, streams, wells and to ensure they had not been removed or tampered with in any such way.

Now to present day, Annan Riding of the Marches still carries out the same task, where the event consists of a fortnight of cultural, ceremonial and community events, celebrating the tradition, which takes place in late June and early July with the culmination being the First Saturday in July – Marches Day.

The funding came from the Association’s ‘Making Our Communities a Better Place Fund’ which operates throughout the year until the allocated funding is exhausted.

Frank Sweeney, CHA chief executive, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Annan Riding of the Marches and helping keep up with many years of tradition of the town. The Association wish the voluntary committee the best of luck with this year’s events which I am sure will prove to be as successful as previous years.”