The Proclamations
At the heart of Red Letter Day are two historic proclamations, delivered from the town’s Olde Mercat Cross, a stone symbol of Peebles’ burgh status and communal life, and the Parish Church steps as part of the Crowning Ceremony.
The highlight of the Peebles Beltane Festival is "Beltane Saturday", affectionately known as "Red Letter Day" - a day of colour, ceremony and pageantry that has been the focal point of the festival for well over a century.
Proclamation of Beltane Fair
Each Beltane Saturday morning, the festival officially opens with the Proclamation of Beltane Fair, traditionally read aloud at the Mercat Cross. This declaration dates back to medieval "Pebbles fairs" and market rights, originally granted to the burgh by Scottish monarchs including James VI, who confirmed the town’s rights to hold fairs in a 1621 charter. The proclamation summons locals and visitors to celebrate summer and reaffirms Peebles’ civic identity, marking the moment when the fair is formally “opened” for the day’s festivities.
In modern practice, the role of delivering this proclamation is usually undertaken by a respected local legal figure or community leader, continuing a tradition once carried out by the Town Clerk and legal practitioners. As part of this ceremony the town’s Cornet is presented with his medal, symbolising his role as a living embodiment of Peebles’ heritage and civic goodwill.
The Beltane Queen’s Proclamation
Following the Proclamation of Beltane Fair, all eyes turn to the Parish Church steps where the Beltane Queen - a young representative chosen from the town’s primary schools - is crowned. Soon after her coronation, The Beltane Queen's Proclamation is read by the First Herald. It's a ceremonial speech in which the newly crowned Queen has outlined her Royal Will and Command for the day, rallying the community in celebration and goodwill.
More than a formality, this proclamation reflects generations of community involvement and the festival’s focus on youth, optimism, and Peebles’ collective spirit.
Proclamation of Beltane Fair
On Saturday 21st June 2025
YE BELTANE FAIR
will be Proclaimed from
YE OLDE MERKAT CROSS
by
Ross Kilshaw, LL.B, Dip.L.P., N.P.
**********
"W hereas, King James the Sixth of Blessed Memory, approving of his predecessors, their grants and concessions, to the Royal Burgh of Peebles, did by his Charter, under the Great Seal of the year 1621, give and grant to this Burgh several Fairs and among them which is commonly called Beltane Fair was one which was known to be and begin on the third day of May yearly, but for the preventing and profaning of the Sabbath Day was changed to the First Wednesday of May, and afterwards on account of the alterations of the style was appointed by the Magistrates and Councillors of this Burgh to be held on the Second Wednesday of May, yearly.
A nd, further, in consequence of the said Fair interfering with other markets of greater importance, it was appointed by the said Magistrates and Council to be held on the Tuesday before the twelfth day of May annually, and it having been represented that it would be opportune and to the public advantage were the Fair to be held on the Day of the Crowning of the Beltane Queen it is now appointed by the said Magistrates and Council to be held on the said Crowning Festival, which is on Saturday, June 21st.
T herefore, in our Sovereign's name and authority, I proclaim the said Fair instantly to begin and continue till the space of 24 hours be expired, with power and liberty to all Her Majesty's subjects to trade and traffic one with another upon their lawful affairs and business without let or molestation discharging them and each of them to trouble or molest one for another, for old or new quarrels, they paying the customs, use and won't."
The Beltane Queen's Proclamation
W hereas on this one hundred and twenty-sixth anniversary of the Restoration of our ancient Festival,
We extend our Royal greetings to all our faithful subjects and command them to receive our Royal Will and pleasure as set forth in the following Proclamation:
W e extend a warm welcome to all, young and old, who have come today to take part in our annual rejoicing, whether from within the Royal Burgh, or from distant places, at home or overseas.
W e welcome those who have
come for the first time, and those whom our Festival has gladdened for many years.
W e solemnly enjoin all persons here assembled to enter into the spirit of our joyous day, and to share in all its fun and gaiety.
W e command all our subjects within our Realm to be good and true, faithful and honest, and gentle and considerate to man and beast.
W e further command that they learn to love all beautiful things, hate what is evil, and esteem others as themselves.
I t is our Royal desire that this day be given over to sport and jollity, and that all our subjects conduct themselves in all things in such a way that nothing be done to tarnish the fair name of our Ancient and Royal Burgh.
G iven at our Court,
This twenty-first day of June,
in the year of our Lord,
Two thousand and twenty-five.