The President of the Braw Lads’ Gathering carries out the ceremonial duties of the Gathering which were once performed by the former Provost of the Burgh of Galashiels. The President is in office for a period of three years.
Through invitation, the President will attend the Festivals and Common Ridings of neighbouring Border Towns.
Annually the first duty of the President is the Swearing in of the new Braw Lads’ Executive Council and the Selection Committee who will appoint the new Braw Lad and Braw Lass. They will ask them to solemnly swear, to full confidentiality, in the positions entrusted to them to by the President.
The first public duty of all Presidents' is to announce the newly appointed Braw Lad and Braw Lass of that year to the people of Galashiels. Traditionally this is carried out on the third Friday of April at exactly 8pm from the balcony of the Burgh Chambers.
There are a number of ceremonies that take place before the actual week of the Gathering when the President will say a few appropriate words.
During the week of the Gathering the President will attend all functions. On Wednesday evening of the Braw Lads’ week he will introduce the Braw Lad, Braw Lass and the Attendants on their official visit to the Laird of Torwoodlee, Mr James Pringle and his family.The President will welcome overseas guests on the Thursday evening at the Civic Reception and welcome and introduce the visiting Border Town Principals and guests at the Investiture of the Braw Lad and Braw Lass at the concert on the Friday evening in the Volunteer Hall.
On the day of the Braw Lads’ Gathering the President has a full round of commitments. The morning starts at 8am by entrusting the Burgh Flag to the Braw Lad on the balcony of the Burgh Chambers. The President offers the sprigs of “Sour Plums” to the Braw Lad’s at the Raid Stane Ceremony before the watching the fording of the Tweed before introducing the Braw Lad and Lass to the Trustees representative at Abbotsford. At the Old Town Cross Ceremony after Roses have been mixed the President facilitates the the handing of the Scroll to the Clerk of the Gathering by a representative of the Scott family before heading to Old Gala House where introductions of the Braw Lad, Braw Lass and Attendants will be made to the Laird of Gala. Immediately after the “Act of Homage” the President accepts the Burgh Flag back from the Braw Lad “unsullied and untarnished” at 12 noon.
The Presidents final duty is to congratulate the Braw Lad, Braw Lass, and attendants Attendants on a job well done after returning their sashes to the Chairman at a private ceremony later in the evening on the day of the Gathering.
In the Presidents final year, it is at this point the they return the “Chain of Office” back to the Braw Lads’ Executive Council to be worn by the next President.
