King Charles appeared bemused as he started the centuries-old traditional game of hand ba' in Jedburgh, Scottish Borders, during Royal Week in Scotland. The monarch, dressed in an immaculate grey suit, tossed a leather ball into the air above a group of local men in the town's main square, but was forced to step back as competitors wrestled for the ball in a heap on the ground.
Traditional Game Dates to 1704
The annual game of hand ba' has been played in Jedburgh since 1704. The full-contact contest splits men and boys into two teams based on where they live: the Uppies and the Doonies. The King's visit coincided with the Jethart Callant festival, part of the 'common ridings' held across the Borders each year.
Charles watched as a pipe band marched up the main street, followed by a colourful procession of horses led by the Callant—a young man chosen annually to lead the festival and represent the town. After dismounting, the Callant and his entourage danced a traditional reel on the square to the music of a single accordion, while crowds clapped along.
King Engages with Local Businesses and Community
Charles also visited local businesses and a market around the town's bandstand, where stallholders presented him with gifts including local honey and a handmade shepherd's crook topped with a goat horn. At the Jed Shed, a community space for carpentry and crafts, the King helped screw the roof onto a bird house and discussed how the facility supports physical and mental wellbeing.
Crowds of people turned out in warm sunshine for the first royal visit to the town since the Princess Royal opened the bandstand in 2006. On arrival, Charles was cheered by schoolchildren waving saltires and Union flags, while hundreds of well-wishers lined his route.
Residents React to Royal Visit
Shaun Carroll, 59, chairman of the Jedburgh Royal British Legion, said he was 'chuffed to bits' that Charles stopped to chat. 'He asked us about the Legion we had in Jedburgh, and he asked if I was managing to recruit any younger members yet,' Mr Carroll said. 'What an honour for the town and the small businesses here. It’s been great, absolutely great.'
Julie Gallagher, 51, had an 'impromptu' chat with the King from the front step of the estate agent where she works. 'It was a lovely, unexpected meeting,' she said. 'He was very nice. Just asked how we were, and shook our hands, and carried on to the florist.'
Emma Tennant, 56, a stallholder, described the visit as 'fantastic'. She added: 'I thought the town put on a fantastic mix of displays, and our group here, we had honey, we had stick makers, and he had a really lovely time at each different stall.' She said Charles was 'very interested' in her work supporting local bee populations and 'very grateful' for gifts of lip balm and honey.
Royal Week in Scotland
The visit was part of Royal Week in Scotland, where the royal family undertake a series of engagements. Visits began on Tuesday with the King arriving at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for the Ceremony of the Keys and holding an investiture. Charles and Camilla last visited the Scottish Borders in 2023, when they were in Galashiels and Selkirk.
