“IT’S hard to explain the feeling of being Standard Bearer – you have a whole host of emotions, but mostly, an overwhelming feeling of pride,” said 22-year-old Ross Brown after his installation on Friday night. 

After a jam-packed 10 days in Innerleithen, the 189th St Ronan’s Borders Games has drawn to a close and the town is safe from the De’il for another year. 

And The central part of the week – the historic Cleikum Ceremonies – were enacted in front of a packed Memorial Hall on Friday.

Dux Boy Rory McDonald represented St Ronan in the age-old story of how the saint drove the devil out of town, a role that Ross himself played as a young boy in 2005.

During Principal Guest Gen Harrison’s tribute to St Ronan’s, it became clear to everyone that the Smail’s manager was the perfect choice for the role as she spoke of her close connection with the festival and the schoolchildren involved. 

She then presented the Duxes Rory, Abbie Glendinning and Robyn Keddie – with their medals.

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Ross’s colours were bussed by his Lass Faye Nicolson as he was installed as Standard Bearer 2016; an experience he says is “better felt than telt.”

“It’s so hard to explain the overwhelming feeling of pride,” he began.

“Innerleithen is so community orientated and every boy in Innerleithen grows up wanting to be the Standard Bearer, so when it happens, it means so much to the family and friends. 

“And the whole community supports the Standard Bearer every year, regardless of whether they know him very well or not – it’s just really important to everybody,” he continued.

“I was worried about getting emotional tonight and I couldn’t look at my family because I thought my mum would be emotional and that would set me off.

“When you raise the Blue Banner, everyone says that’s the moment when you go and I did feel it, but I just took a few deep breaths.

“And when David (SB 2015) began to get emotional, I really had to try to keep myself in check – I couldn’t look at him. Or Faye (Ross’s Lass) either, because she was getting teary.

“I couldn’t look at anyone basically!” he joked.

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It seemed as though there wasn’t a dry eye in the house – meanwhile, outside wasn’t so dry either. 

It didn’t just rain on Friday night, it poured. But Ross said it takes more than that to dampen the spirits of the hearty St Ronanites.

“We’ve all enjoyed the night regardless of the weather,” he said explained, as his kilt dripped with rain water.

“We were thinking ‘oh no, it’s chucking it down and the High Street’s going to be empty.’ But everyone still comes out to support you.

“In a way, the fact that it’s raining and people still come out in such huge numbers makes it all the more special – they’re not just there for the sake of it but because it’s important to them.”

In monsoon conditions, a procession of blue and white brollies followed the Flag Party up to St Ronan’s Wells, where the Lantern Bearer Stuart Whiteford, the Dux Boy, the Monks, and the Standard Bearer enacted another time-honoured tradition in which Ross drank sacred water from the well.

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The saying goes that behind every great man, there’s a great woman. And primary teacher Faye Nicholson has been just that for her Standard Bearer throughout the summer.

“I couldn’t have done it without Faye,” said Ross. “She’s been by my side in every event for the last few months, and always looking amazing. 

“She’s been a fantastic support.”

And Faye, who’s from Peebles, got a special thanks from chairman Keith Belleville not only for being a fantastic Lass, but for how well she embraced Innerleithen for the week and ditched the majestic Beltane red for St Ronan’s white and blue, as she bedecked her Peebles home with Games Week decor. 

Friday ended with the Masonic Ceremony performed before the Runic Cross at the Parish Church; where Dux Rory set free two doves which fluttered into the night sky.

The week then culminated with what is said to be the oldest games meet in Scotland on Saturday, followed by the symbolic Burnin’ of the De’il.

“I’m not sad that’s come to an end,” saidexplained Ross as he pondered the end of the festivities.

“It’s been such a good week, so when you get to end you have this real sense of pride and accomplishment. I’ve had this unforgettable experience that will be with me forever.

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“I’ve got another three years yet, and after that, it might be the end of your time in the Flag Party, but it’ll be the beginning your time as an ex-Standard Bearer, which I’ll be involved with for life.”