West Linton

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West Linton is a hamlet in the Scottish Borders. It was formerly in Peeblesshire but since local government re-organisation in 1975 now in Tweeddale[1] (although few people use this distinction, preferring to retain the old name) and is very popular with Edinburgh commuters, being located 16 miles southwest of Edinburgh.

[edit] The Whipman

The Whipman is an annual summer festival held in the village, and is one of the Borders' oldest festivals.[2] The festival commences on the Friday before the first Saturday in June, and runs until the following Saturday. The Whipman Play Society was formed in 1803 by local young men to alleviate hardship and illness for its members and in the community at large[3] 42 years before the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act, 1845[4] and possibly before the first insurance company in Scotland.

A local man is elected to the office of "Whipman" and he chooses a young lady to be his "Lass". These two represent the village at other Borders festivals throughout their year in office. The celebrations begin with the Installation of the Whipman & Lass, followed by a celebratory ceilidh. The following day, the Ride Out (of around 80 to 100 horses) introduces the Whipman to the area, and a full week of events culminates in the annual sports day, held on the village green.

[edit] References

  1. ^ History of Scottish Borders Council. Scottish Borders Council.. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  2. ^ Scottish Borders History:Common Ridings and Festivals. Scottish Borders Tourist Board. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.
  3. ^ Clark, Robin. "The Whipman Play: A Short History", 1985. In the official programme of the Whipman Play Society
  4. ^ Scotland in the nineteenth century an analytical bibliography of material relating to Scotland in parliamentary papers, 1800-1900 Section 14.4: Poor law. The Glasgow Digital Library, Centre for Digital Library Research in the University of Strathclyde.. Retrieved on 2008-01-04.

[edit] External links

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Coordinates: 55°45′N 3°21′W / 55.75, -3.35