Peebles Beltane Festival is a week long celebration which begins on a Sunday with an inaugural service at the cross kirk. The program of events for the week include a primary school disco on Monday, childrens sports day at Hay Lodge park on Tuesday, the installation of the cornet, riding of the Marches, Neidpath Ceremony, Beltane Bell and Cornets Reel on Wednesday, the Beltan Concert on Thursday, Fancy Dress Parade on Wednesday.

Our 'Big Red Letter' day is the Saturday.

The ceremonies begin with a proclamation at the mercat cross followed by a procession by the primary school children in fancy dress who march to the Parish Church steps via the Northgate and a High Street street lined with people.

The children gather on the the Parish Church steps and, along with hundreds of on-lookers, witness the ceremony during which the new Beltane Queen is crowned.

The children then make thier way to Kingsmedows car park and onto the brightly decorated lorries which will carry them around town to the delight of the hoards of cheering crowds.

This procession is led by the towns new Cornet, his Lass and helpers, a host of horses and a fine collection of Pipe and Silver Bands, often a Samba band and always with a large collection of imaginatively dressed individuals.

The official ceremonies close with the Beating Of The Retreat on Saturday evening but Saturday is not over by any means.

A night ahead at the shows over in Victoria Park for many and the towns clubs, pubs and bars are filled to bursting point with revellers until the early hours.