The Kirking of the Captain

This will be held on Sunday 8th September 2024 at Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2QQ

Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Kirk

We are honoured to be invited by the Reverend and the community at Greyfriars Kirk, to take part in the regular Sunday Service on the last Sunday before the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, when the historical handing over of the Edinburgh City Banner from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh to the Edinburgh Captain takes place, completing the installation as Edinburgh Captain by entrusting him with the City of Edinburgh banner and charges him to inspect the boundaries of our Capital City, with the request that it is returned to him, one week later, unsullied and unstained.

​Attended by the current Captain and Lass and past Principals, committee of the Edinburgh March Riding Association, representatives from the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh and Baillies of Edinburgh for this traditional, unique event marking the start of the journey of the City of Edinburgh banner in the week leading up to the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches. All are welcome to attend the Service.

For further information please contact us.

(Left to Right): 2018 Edinburgh Captain Gary Ulke (bearing the City of Edinburgh Banner), 2018 Edinburgh Lass Jennifer Caw, The Lady Provost Hanna Ross, The Right Honourable Frank Ross, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Professor Herbert Kerrigan QC, Reverend Gareth Davies, Dean Smith (Edinburgh Captain 2017), Kiera Robertson (2017 Edinburgh Lass), Ian Robertson (Deacon Convenor of The Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh) and Gordon Rutter (Author, Historian and Officer to the Convenary of The Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh, bearing the Blue Blanket)
(Left to right): 2018 Edinburgh Captain Gary Ulke (bearing the Edinburgh City Banner), 2018 Edinburgh Lass Jennifer Caw, The Right Honourable Frank Ross, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Lanark Lord Cornet Gary Winning, 2105 West Linton Whipman Ryan Stewart, Ryan’s mother Susan Stewart, Ian Robertson (Deacon Convenor of the Incorporate Trades of Edinburgh) and Gordon Rutter (Officer to the Convenary of the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh and Author) (bearing the Blue Blanket).