Beltane Queen






			Keep up to date with the Beltane News! (updated 20/05/11)

					Send a telegram to the Beltane Queen

The Beltane Queen

The first Beltane Queen honour was given to Margaret Muir. She was crowned at the Mercat Cross located at the junction of the High Street, North Gate and East Gate. The ceremony proved so successful that it was accepted that it could not be held at the first choice and had to be moved. The church steps of the Parish Church at the end of the High Street was chosen. This meant that the crowning ceremony would take place at an elevated position allowing all to view the Queen’s crowning ceremony.

The Beltane Queen is dressed in robes presented by the Royal Burgh of Peebles Callants' Club in 1988, (to replace earlier robes gifted in 1926 by Peebles’ exiles in New Zealand). The Queen is crowned on a Coronation Chair which came from South Africa in 1922. The Crown was gifted in 1921 by exiled Peebleans, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Daniels, Singapore, who subsequently gifted the Sceptre in 1926 to complement the Crown and new robes. The new robes and Sceptre were first used by Beltane Queen Mary Thomson in 1926. The Sceptre is unique in that the head is a model of the Parish Church Steeple.

During both the First and Second World Wars the Beltane ceremonies were scaled down. For instance in 1915 it was held in Whitestone Park and in 1940 the Beltane Queen, Miss Sheila Murray (Crowning Lady 1990) was crowned in the playground of Kingsland School. In 1945 the Beltane Queen, Edna Murray, was crowned in the cricket pavilion in Whitestone Park. This was the last time the Beltane Queen would be crowned away from the Parish Church steps.

Only twice has the Beltane Festival seen a mother and daughter given the honour of Beltane Queen. Sarah McGrath (1988) followed in her mother’s footsteps, Sandra McKenzie (1962). Then in 2007 Kerry Woods was Beltane Queen, the honour previously given to her mother Margaret Frame (1969).

The honour for sisters to share in the selection of Beltane Queen has happened on 7 occasions, 1900 and 1905, 1904 and 1909, 1906 and 1908, 1934 and 1936, 1952 and 1954, 1955 and 1957, and 1991 and 1994.

For the names please see The Past page.




		Picture courtesy of Bill Brodie

AMY GILFILLAN - BELTANE QUEEN 2011

Amy was truly shocked but excited when she heard her name read out to a packed Drill Hall. Cornet Elect, Ewen Young and his Lass Laura Cox were among the first to congratulate Amy and Ewen proudly presented Amy with her Beltane Queen Sash.

Amy a 12 year old pupil at Kingsland Primary School lives in the town with her dad Chris, mum Lynsey, and younger brother Rory. A keen sports enthusiast Amy loves netball and ballet and also find time to play the tenor horn in Peebles Silver Band. (We guess they can cope with being one member down on this occasion!)

Commenting Amy said “ I’m delighted to be selected and I am really looking forward to the Beltane. It really did come out of nowhere. I heard all the other positions being called and saw them all go onto the stage and thought ‘Oh well’”” Now I have the best role of all”.

Amy was then introduced to the public and keeping with tradition was paraded through the town alongside the Cornet Elect Ewen and his supporters.


	The Beltane Queen and Court 2011


		Picture courtesy of Bill Brodie

	The Beltane Queen and Court 2011 Beltane Queen - Amy Gilfillan (Kingsland) First Maid - Annabelle Ireland (Kingsland) First Courtier - Robbie Renwick (Priorsford) Second Courtier - Euan Magowan (Kingsland) Second Maid - Lucy Warrington (Priorsford) Third Maid - Darcey Doherty ((Priorsford) Fourth Maid - Alexa Smith (Kingsland) Fifth Maid - Charlotte Hope ((Priorsford) Sixth Maid - Ishbel Dickson (Halyrude) Sword Bearer - Colin Caljee (Kingsland) Crown Bearer - Sean Cooke (Kingsland) Standard Bearer - Joseph Slater (Priorsford) Sceptre Bearer - Calum Grant (Kingsland) Casket Bearer - Alexander Stothart (Priorsford) Telegram Girl - Ellie Swanston (Kingsland) Queen’s Highlander - Stuart Turner (Priorsford) Royal Herald - Angus Forman (Halyrude) First Herald - Keir McDermott (Halyrude) Second Herald - Jack Smith (Kingsland) Admiral - Murray Young (Priorsford) Immediate Entourage: Mhairi Davidson (Halyrude), Ishbel Russell (Kingsland) Stevie Coltman (Priorsford) Harriet Miller (Priorsford), Kathryn Swinney (Kingsland), Georgia Wallace (Kingsland), Katy Thomson (Priorsford) Queens Pages: Cameron Brown, Cameron Coull, Finlay Durkin, Ben Nairn, Euan Russell, Michael Smith


	*Every effort is made to ensure the name spellings and schools are correct. If you spot a mistake please email the* *webmaster* *and we will correct the error as soon as possible.*


	[Home] [Principals] [Cornet] [Beltane Queen] [Crowning Lady] [Wardens] [Proclamation] [Beltane Week] [Committee] [The Past] [Pictures] [The Beltane Song] [Contact] [Beltane News] [Safety First]