King Charles has launched one of Scotland’s oldest sporting traditions after officially starting the historic hand ba’ game during a visit to Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders.
The King threw the brightly coloured ribboned ball into a waiting crowd of players, marking the start of a special exhibition match between the town’s traditional rivals, the Uppies and the Doonies. At one point, the energetic scrum surged towards His Majesty, prompting his security team to step in briefly, although the King emerged from the close encounter smiling.
Historians believe hand ba’ has been played in Jedburgh for centuries, with the annual contest formally dating back to 1704. The game sees the Uppies attempt to carry the ball towards the town’s castle, while the Doonies aim to reach the River Jedwater.
Charlie Young, president of the Jethart Callants Club, said it was “an honour” to have the King start the match, adding that His Majesty “got a bit of a shock” when the play moved unexpectedly close to him.
The King revealed it was not his first experience of the ancient sport, having previously launched the Royal Shrovetide Football match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
The royal visit coincided with the opening of the two-week Jethart Callant Festival, the largest of the Borders’ traditional Common Ridings celebrations. The festival commemorates the historic riding of the town’s boundaries and features parades, music and community events.
During the visit, the King watched the festival’s Callant lead a horseback procession through the town before members of his entourage performed a traditional Borders reel in the market square.
Earlier in the day, His Majesty visited Jedburgh’s monthly market, where he met independent traders and local residents against a backdrop of live music and performances.
The King also toured the Jed Shed, a community workshop founded in 2014 that provides carpentry facilities and a social space for local people. During the visit, he watched a woodworking demonstration and spoke with members about how the project has supported their physical and mental wellbeing.
His Majesty also visited a local business producing insulation materials from UK-grown hemp, before spending more than three hours meeting members of the public who had lined the streets to welcome him.
The engagement forms part of Royal Week in Scotland, the annual programme of engagements undertaken by members of the Royal Family north of the border.
