The main event day draws crowds in excess of 20,000 and whilst many of them are there to see the incredible spectacle of 300 horses traverse the Royal Mile from Parliament to the Mercat Cross, the event arena is already packed by noon, when the event entertainment begins with Pipe Bands, Silver Bands, Ceilidh Bands, historical re-enactments and other stunning performances.
Here you can read about our performers for our main event. If you or your group would like to be considered as part of the entertainment for the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, please do contact us.
St Ronan’s Silver Band
Founded over 212 years ago, St. Ronan’s Silver Band is one of the most active and respected arts organisations in the Peeblesshire town of Innerleithen, entertaining generations of audiences through its rich musical heritage. The band is proud to be the resident band on the High Street during the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches celebrations.
Renowned throughout the Scottish Borders, St. Ronan’s is one of the region’s most successful contesting bands, having secured Scottish Championship titles in the Fourth, Third and Second Sections. Alongside its competitive achievements, the band presents a popular annual concert series and plays a central role in Innerleithen’s cultural life, including the St. Ronan’s Border Games and Cleikum Ceremonies. The band also performs regularly at festivals, community events and celebrations across the Borders and beyond.
The St. Ronan’s Family of Bands supports musicians of all ages and abilities, from the youngest learners in the Ronanbuzzers pBuzz group, through the Training Band and St. Ronan’s Future Band, to the award-winning senior band. Together, these ensembles involve more than 60 musicians and are united by three core aims:
• To nurture musical talent by placing youth development and lifelong learning at the heart of the organisation.
• To provide a welcoming, supportive and enjoyable environment for all members.
• To perform regularly within the community and beyond, delivering the highest possible standard of music-making.
To learn more, visit www.stronanssilverband.org.
Bookings and Enquiries
Email: se*******@****************nd.org / Telephone: 07775 557156
Facebook: @stronansband
George Heriot’s School Pipe Band
The George Heriot’s School Pipe Band is recognised as one of Scotland’s leading school pipe bands, regularly achieving success at local, national and international competitions. Based in Edinburgh, the band comprises more than 40 talented young pipers and drummers aged 9 to 18, supported by a thriving programme of over 100 learners across the school.
Wearing the distinctive Hunting Stewart tartan, band members perform at prestigious events throughout the year, including Beating Retreat ceremonies at Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, major concert venues such as the Queen’s Hall and Usher Hall, and competitions including the British, Scottish Schools’ and World Pipe Band Championships.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, George Heriot’s School is Scotland’s oldest independent co-educational day school, welcoming pupils from Nursery to S6. Founded in 1628 by Royal Goldsmith George Heriot, the school is renowned for its outstanding academic achievement, strong pastoral care, and distinctive charitable heritage.
Recognised as the Scottish Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence in the Sunday Times Parent Power 2026 survey, George Heriot’s continues to inspire and support young people to achieve their full potential.
Find out more at www.george-heriots.com
The George Heriot’s School Pipe Band is a proud and longstanding supporter of the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, and we are delighted to welcome them once again to this year’s event.
Erskine Stewart Melville School Pipe Band
The ESMS family of independent schools provides education for children aged 3 to 18 across Edinburgh. For more than 150 years, the schools have developed confident, capable young people through a unique educational experience that combines a co-educational Junior School, closely connected single-sex Senior Schools, and a co-educational Sixth Form, alongside flexible boarding opportunities from age 10.
Renowned for its outstanding music programme, ESMS nurtures talented musicians across a wide range of disciplines, and its Pipe Band is no exception. Dressed in their distinctive tartan and driven by the powerful rhythm of the bass drum, the band delivers a stirring performance that captures the spirit of Scotland’s rich musical heritage.
The band features accomplished student pipers and drummers from across the school community and is often joined by Highland dancers, creating a vibrant and memorable spectacle. Regular performers at prestigious local and national events, they have appeared at the Royal Highland Show, the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, and the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
For more information about The Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools, visit their website at www.esms.org.uk
The Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools Pipe Band is a proud and longstanding participant in the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, bringing energy, tradition, and musical excellence to this celebrated event.
George Watson’s College Pipe Band
George Watson’s College Pipes & Drums is one of Scotland’s most distinguished and successful school pipe band programmes, with more than 200 young musicians proudly performing in the iconic red-and-green Watsonian tartan.
The programme continues to achieve exceptional success on the national and international stage. In August 2026, the Juvenile Band secured its third consecutive World Pipe Band Championship title, following victories in 2024 and 2025. Across its competitive bands, George Watson’s College has amassed an extraordinary 228 Major Championship titles, cementing its reputation as one of the leading pipe band institutions in the world.
With three bands catering to different levels of experience and ability, the programme provides outstanding tuition from world-class instructors and offers highly competitive Piping Scholarships to nurture the next generation of talent. The Juvenile Band has won the World Championships six times, while the Novice Juvenile Band has claimed four World Championship titles. Both bands have also enjoyed repeated success at the Scottish, British, European and Cowal Championships. In recognition of its outstanding achievements, the programme was named Pipe Band of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards in 2012.
Founded in 1723 through a legacy left by merchant and banker George Watson, George Watson’s College is one of Scotland’s leading independent co-educational schools. Set within a 52-acre campus in Edinburgh, it educates approximately 2,500 pupils from preschool through to Senior 6.
To learn more about George Watson’s College and its Pipes & Drums programme, visit
www.gwc.org.uk
The Jacobites
One of Scotland’s most acclaimed and energetic ceilidh bands, The Jacobites have been entertaining audiences across Scotland, the UK and Europe for more than three decades. Based in Edinburgh, they specialise in public events, festivals, weddings and private functions, combining outstanding musicianship with an infectious enthusiasm for traditional Scottish music.
A familiar presence on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and founders of the renowned Edinburgh Street Ceilidh, The Jacobites bring live music and dance to the heart of the city each year as part of the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, creating a vibrant celebration of Scottish culture and heritage.
The band’s distinctive blend of traditional Scottish music and contemporary folk influences has captivated thousands of people from around the world. Passionate about preserving and promoting Scotland’s musical heritage, they play, compose, teach and perform with equal commitment, inspiring the next generation of Scottish musicians along the way.
Award-winning and internationally recognised, The Jacobites’ highlights include performances at the Mestralia Festival in Catalonia, festival tours of France, and composing and performing a First World War remembrance piece for HRH The Princess Royal. They have also appeared on BBC Hogmanay Live alongside celebrated musicians Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain, featured on the BBC’s Bargain Hunt and in Prime Time Emmy Award Winning Richard Gadd’s recent hit, ‘Half Man’.
Whether performing for a festival audience or leading a packed dance floor, The Jacobites deliver an unforgettable experience. For more information, visit www.thejacobites.com.
History Matters Ltd
Bringing History to Life
Founded in 2011, History Matters Ltd is a leading historical events, education, and entertainment company specialising in immersive living history experiences. Through expert costumed interpretation, the team brings the past to life, covering periods from the Neolithic and Iron Age through to the Second World War.
Their work spans historical performances, interactive educational programmes, guided tours, and support for the television and film industries. Providing skilled performers, authentic props, and technical expertise, History Matters has contributed to numerous productions and events across the UK.
Beyond the screen, the company delivers engaging experiences for schools, corporate events, heritage organisations, and public audiences. Their clients include Warner Bros. Films, BBC, National Geographic, Historic Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, Reebok, Pink Floyd, and many others.
With an extensive collection of theatrical props, costumes, and experienced performers, History Matters can transform any event into an unforgettable historical or themed experience.
Look out for the History Matters team as they bring colour, action, and historical spectacle to the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches and along the historic Royal Mile.
Find out more on their website at www.historymattersltd.com, follow them on Facebook: @historymattersltd and Instagram: @historymattersltd
Wild Knights Jousting & Tournaments
Experience the Thrill of Medieval Competition
Wild Knights Jousting and Tournaments is a premier Scottish historical re-enactment group, delivering authentic medieval jousting and combat displays that combine historical accuracy with thrilling live entertainment.
Founded by army veteran and historical equitation specialist Roy Murray, the troupe faithfully recreates the chivalric traditions of the 14th and 15th centuries. Performers compete in full steel plate armour and ride specially trained warhorses, providing audiences with a genuine insight into the world of medieval tournaments.
Renowned for staging Scotland’s first indoor jousting tournament, Wild Knights are celebrated for their dynamic and largely unscripted competitions, where riders battle for points, titles and honour in fast-paced displays of skill, courage and horsemanship.
The team offers fully bespoke performances for festivals, historical celebrations, corporate events and private functions, tailoring each spectacle to suit the occasion. Whether presenting a grand tournament arena or an intimate living-history experience, Wild Knights bring history vividly to life for audiences of all ages.
Combining authentic armour, traditional equipment and exceptional horsemanship, Wild Knights deliver an unforgettable journey into Scotland’s medieval past, captivating, educating and entertaining audiences across the country and beyond.
For bookings, event schedules and information on Historical European Martial Arts tournaments, please visit their official website: www.wildknightsjousting.com
Nikkan Dance Academy
Nikkan Dance Academy, founded by Tanwi Bhattacharya, began its journey through her teaching career at Kalamandalam Calcutta and Kohinoor Dance Academy. She later established Nikkan Dance Academy, which is officially registered with the Indian Board, Sarba Bharatiya Sanskritik o Sangeet Parishad for examinations, and the UK Board Pandit Ram Sahay Sangeet Vidyalaya. Now actively operating in both India and Scotland, the academy is also registered as a charitable organisation under OSCR (SC052870).
Nikkan Dance Academy will be performing at the 2026 Edinburgh Riding of the Marches and welcomes individuals of all ages and all levels, nurturing both skills and confidence through performance.
The Academy actively participates in various community and cultural events, contributing to cross-cultural dialogue, social inclusion, and the enrichment of Scotland’s vibrant multicultural landscape.
Nikkan Dance Academy celebrates the rich heritage of Indian dance and bring its vibrant spirit
to Scotland, offering classes in:
Kathak: North Indian classical dance with intricate footwork, expressive gestures,
and rhythmic storytelling.
Bharatanatyam: South Indian classical dance known for its precision, geometry,
and spiritual depth.
Indian Free-Style: A lively mix of Folk, Bollywood, and regional styles with fun choreography and expressive movement.
Contact: ta****************@***il.com Tel: 07459 379920. www.nikkandance.org.uk
Pulse of the Place
Pulse of the Place is A vibrant youth samba and percussion band based in Edinburgh.
The explosive energy of their samba drumming and energetic percussion-led music has led to them frequently playing at major events, including the 2012 London Paralympics, Lord Mayor’s Parade in Liverpool, Brighton Fringe Festival, Europan Championships Parade in Glasgow and leading the 2023 Tartan Parade in New York.
Find them on Facebook or email: pu*************@***il.com
Mission of Innocents
Nurturing Children’s Hope and Healing Through Creative Expression
Mission of Innocents works to ensure that the wellbeing of children who have resettled as a result of war, geopolitical strife, or large-scale environmental disasters, is prioritised along with their family’s basic needs.
Our goal is to mitigate the emotional impact of sudden, drastic change and deep uncertainty in children’s lives with arts, movement, and play experiences that invite them to express their emotions, have fun, and focus on the joy of creativity.
You can DONATE via the website to support these programs, which includes the following:
Art, Music, Dance Classes & Performances, Sports & Fitness, Learning Programs, Day Trips.
