‘Unsullied And Untarnished’ is photographic portrait of the people of the towns of the Scottish Borders who each year undertake the maintaining of tradition, commemorating their local history and strengthening the bonds of their communities, during the annual Common Riding festivals of the summer months.
Braw Lassies and Honest Lads, Left-hand Lassies and Right-hand Men, Cornets, Hunters and Coldstreamers - all titles given to the upstanding youths who lead the festivities, and whose duty it is to carry the burgh or town standard around the common lands, to “bring it back unsullied and untarnished”.
Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert (author/images), Harry Benson (foreword), Alex Massie (essay)
"Some of these ridings and festivals are ancient, stretching back five centuries and more. Others are more modern but, whatever their roots and antiquity, they have something in common. They are annual gatherings of remembrance and celebration; affirmations that though these may be small places there is nothing small about coming from Kelso or Galashiels, Lauder or Langholm."
Excerpt from Alex Massie's essay, in 'Unsullied And Untarnished'.
