Hawick common riding - in pictures

The cornet's lass, Heather Amos, enters the town hall for the colour bussing on Thursday evening. The cornet's lass carries the flag into the hall and 'busses' (ties) ribbons to the staff. The flag is given to the cornet, who rides out into the community of Hawick and returns the flag unsullied and unstained Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The cornet, Chris Ritson, stands on the balcony of the town hall after the colour bussing Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The first recorded cornet was in 1703 and apart from the first and second world wars there is an unbroken line to the present day Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Halberdiers and the drum and fife band play to rouse the town at 6am on Friday Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Michael Aitken holds the ram's horn during the snuffin' by the site of Auld Brig. Snuff is dispensed from the old horn by the town's official singer Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Men gather to watch the snuffin' by the site of Auld Brig Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Men take part in the snuffin' Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The cornet, Chris Ritson, gallops up the chase on the Nipknowes. The cornet is followed up the hill by unmarried supporters. Ritson was chosen as the cornet on 8 May 2013, on the recommendation of the two previous cornets Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The principals, with up to 300 followers, gallop to the Nipknowes where the main chase of the festival takes place after a procession round the town. After the chase the flag is carried to St Leonard's for the song and toast session in the hut Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Riders and followers in the hut at St Leonard's Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Riders and followers in the hut at St Leonard's Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Riders and followers sing in the hut at St Leonard's Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images