WET weather and fire alarms made attendance at the Crowning Ceremony problematic for two long-standing Beltane regulars.

But May Robson, the Beltane Queen of 80 years ago and one of the oldest surviving Principals, was determined that she would not be put off by “a little drop of rain.” While Linda White, who appeared on the Old Parish Church steps as a gypsy more than 60 years ago, shrugged off a sleep-deprived night caused by fire alarms going off at her hotel.

“It was hot and dry when I was crowned all those years ago, so you could say things are a little different now,” said May, 93, who was named May Armstrong when she became Queen in 1935 at the age of 13.

“I like to come along to watch the new Queen being crowned and a little drop of rain was not going to put me off.

“I know all those years back I was worried that the rain would spoil it for me but it turned out fine and I hope that will be the case for Emma.” Peebles-born Mrs White, 76, who now lives in Galashiels, returns every year to her hometown for Red Letter Day and made it to her seat to watch another slice of history unfold - despite a much-disturbed night at the Park Hotel.

“I had a gap of eight years after my husband died when I couldn’t face coming but apart from that I’ve never missed this day,” she said.

“But I was worried that I might not make it this time as we lost at least four hours sleep by the fire alarms going off twice in the early hours of the morning at our hotel. We get well looked after at the hotel and it’s unfortunate that this should have happened.

“I am just glad that I was still able to make it. I moved on to Walkerburn in 1964 after I married and then on to Galashiels but I always made a point of coming back to Peebles for the Beltane.

“I’ve been a gyspy and an Irish colleen on the steps myself and it’s always a great sight seeing the children up there in their costumes.”