On arrival at the Piper’s Hill car park at Branxton, the company was piped up the hill by Pipe Major Robert Bell and Duncan Bell of the Coldstream Pipe Band.
The monument was decorated with lion rampants and saltires, thanks to the dedication of David Shepherd. 1513 chairman, James Bell, welcomed everyone to the monument.
Club member John Elliot carried out the first toast of the commemoration, an interesting account of ‘James IV of Scotland’. Thereupon, two wreaths were laid at the monument, by Steven Bell the 2011 Coldstreamer and Grant Kinghorn, chairman of the Selkirk Ex-Standard Bearers’ Association.
Piper Duncan Bell played the Lament, while the 1513 standard bearer, Harry Brydon, dipped the 1513 flag.
This year, the ‘Toast to the Border Men’ was carried out by local historian and 1513 club member, William Murray, who highlighted the waste of life of border men at the battle. Thereafter ex-1513 club standard bearers laid sprigs of thistles.
Grant Kinghorm of Selkirk relayed a few poignant words, on behalf of Selkirk.
The visit to Branxton had been preceded by a short remembrance ceremony at Coldstream’s Tweed Green where the 1513 Club monument points to Branxton and remembers the Scottish fallen nobility at the battle.
The club’s annual dinner is tomorrow evening (September 16) at 7pm for 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion.