Cornet Elect: Donald Stewart is 27 years old and was educated at Amisfield Primary then Wallace Hall Academy. Having spent seven years with the police, he now works within his stepfathers business based at Thornhill, constructing steel framed agricultural buildings. Donald first rode Guid Nychburris in 2003 as a Lynor, suporting Ian Nelson and Kerry Walker which he says he enjoyed immensely. His hobbies include motor cycling, mountain biking, attending motor rallies and travelling.

Donald said, "I have supported the Guid Nychburris festivities since being a Lynor in 2003 and I am exteremely honoured to have been elected as Cornet for 2009. I am really looking forward to my year as Cornet, throughout which I will be supported by my friends and family. I hope that myself and Lauren will serve the townspeople well, as Cornet and Lass".        

The Cornet is an old name for a young officer of the Local Defence Force. In the days when frequent raids were made on Scottish towns by English warriors, the Cornet was the officer in charge of the younger men of the town who rode out to challenge the enemy. The older and less active townsmen stood gaurd over, and defended, the town walls or dykes.

Cornets Lass Elect: Lauren Patterson is 25 years old and from Glencaple. She attended Caerlaverock Primary School and Dumfries Academy and upon leaving school, took up a career in insurance, recently taking up the post of Account Executive for a local broker, Towergate. Lauren has been involved in horse riding from an early age and first rode the marches aged seven, having done so every year since. She now competes regularly in show jumping throughout the country with great success.

Lauren said, "I am sure I will enjoy my year as Cornets Lass - which is a dream come true - and with the support of my large family and many good friends, 2009 will certainly be a memorable one. I`m looking forward to celebrating and spending the day with the people of Dumfries and it`s surrounding towns".      

The Cornets Lass was first appointed for the Dumfries Riding of the Marches in 1939.    

Lynors: Richard Walker was born in Dumfries in 1989 and was brought up at his family farm near Closeburn. He attended Closeburn Primary School and then Wallace Hall Academy, before going on to Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. Currently in his second year studying civil engineering at the University of Edinburgh, Richie hopes to complete his degree and then eventually return home to Dumfriesshire to farm. Aside from farming, Richie also enjoys playing rugby and playing the bagpipes as well as skiing and shooting.

Richie says, "I feel very honoured having been asked to be Lynor Elect for this year`s Guid Nychburris and I`m looking forward to the build up to the big week. My horse riding ability is fairly limited and in fact the last time I rode was on a rugby tour in Argentina where the horse bolted across the ranch with me on top!. Hopefully there wont be any of that in this years Riding of the Marches".   

Alistair Mather is currently 23 years of age and was educated at Strathallan School. He said, "I currently live in Edinburgh where I study Business and Finance at Napier University but my plans for future employment are to return home and begin working for the family business. I have only ever been on a horse once and that was when I was twelve. I dont really remember that so with with no real riding experience, I will be learning and hopefully by Guid Nychburris, I will be competent enough not to fall off every five minutes.

My hobbies include most sports but nowadays its mainly rugby, tennis, and golf. I play rugby for Dumfries Saints and we have been having an impressive season to date with a good chance at promotion. Another interest of mine is travelling and I am currently trying to arrange a trip to South America in August".  

Craig Sloan Twenty-three year old Craig was educated at Wallace Hall Primary and then Wallace Hall Academy. He said, "I began studying Civil Engineering at Edinburgh University, however during the first year I decided it wasn`t for me, so I returned home to work on my father`s farm, Shawsmuir, Closeburn for a year.

Currently I am in my honours year, studying product design at Glasgow Caledonian University, having studied in Slovakia for four months last year and visted Eastern Europe. I have developed a taste for travelling so after University I would like to spend some time working in New Zealand and Australia, before returning home to farm. I am very much looking forward to being a Lynor this year. Since I have only been on a horse once several years ago, this experience could be very interesting !".        

Scott Cowan Aged 22 Scott was educated at Amisfield Primary School and then Dumfries Academy, followed by the Barony College and the Scottish Agricultural College. Scott said, "Having completed my Bsc Hons in Agriculture last year, I have spent some time in New Zealand and Australia during our winter. It was great experience!.

On returning home, I am now working in the family business involved in Farming, Agricultural Contracting and Haulage Contracting. It is a great honour to be able to be a Lynor this year. I will however require some riding lessons, as it has been ten years since I was on the back of a horse".     

The Lynors are selected by the Cornet as his supporters and assist him in all of his Guid Nychburris duties.

Queen of the South Elect, Beth Mercer. "I previously attended St Andrew`s Primary where I had the honour of representing the school as an attendant in 2005. I am currently a fourth year pupil at St Joseph`s College. I dance four times a week at Body Electric Dance & Soul where I am a member of the elite dance troupe that recently took part in the Charity Fund Raising event, `Strictly Cabaret` which was a great success. I also work at Body Electric Dance & Soul, which I enjoy very much. I live at home with my mum, dad and two older sisters, Toni and Robyn.

I am very honoured to have been chosen as this year`s Queen of the South and to represent St Joseph`s College. I hope everyone enjoys the forthcoming events and let`s pray for some sunshine on the big day".

The role of Queen of the South is to represent the young citizens of Dumfries. The duty of electing the Queen of the South falls in rotation on each of the four Dumfries secondary schools, this year being the turn of St Josephs College.

Queens Attendants: Stephanie Kean is in her fourth year at St Josephs College and previously attended Calside Primary School. She spends a lot of her free time on her hobby of Karate and is currently two grades away from her Black Belt. She hopes to train in the future as a modern langauges teacher and is looking forward to studying languages in her Higher year.

Laura Mackenzie previously attended Loreburn Primary School and is curently in her fourth year at St Josephs College where she is interested in drama. When she leaves school, she hopes to follow a carreer in drama or to become a teacher. In her free time she enjoys meeting up with friends and cooking.

Key Bearers: Brooke Kempsell Also in her fourth year at St Josephs, Brooke initially attended St Michaels Primary School, where she had the honour of representing her school as a Primary School Attendant to the Queen of the South in 2005. Her hobbies consist of playing piano and Thai Boxing. When Brooke leaves school, her ambition is to study drama before progressing onto becoming a drama teacher.  

Carina Wyllie is also a fourth year pupil at St Josephs, having attanded Caerlaverock Primary School. Her hobbies are playing the piano, spending time with friends and lisetening to music. In the future, she hopes to follow a career in design. Carina said, "I am very honoured and grateful to have been chosen to be one of the Key Bearers of 2009 and to represent St Josephs College".

Additional Primary School Attendants are: Amy Louise Emmerson, Noblehill. Kirsty Howat, Locharbriggs. Ailish Potts, Laurieknowe. Laura McIntosh, Calside. Karmen Richardson, Brownhall. Becky Irving, Georgetown. Julia Halliday, St Andrew`s. Katie Murchie, Troqueer. Darcy McKinnon, Lochside. Morgan Grant, St Ninian`s. Naomi Morrison, Loreburn. Demi Kennon, St Teresa`s. Bethany Hunt, St Michaels. Sofie Uygun, Lincluden. Amy Hogan, Cargenbridge.      

Additional Secondary School Attendants are: Helen Thomson, Dumfries High School. Louise Todd, Dumfries Academy. Megan Graham, Maxwelltown High School.

Singer: Jane Lowther of St Josephs  will sing `Queen of the South a Song of Dumfries` during the crowning ceremony on Guid Nychburris Day. Jane is a sixth year pupil at St Josephs College and has always loved all aspects of music, especially enjoying singing. She is studying for Advanced Higher Music this year and recently won the Dumfries Branch of the Rotary Club`s `Young Singer of the Year` competition for the second year running.

At Christmas, Jane was was delighted to be cast in one of the leading roles in the school pantomime and was recently a finalist in the Cash For Kids `Dumfries and Galloway Has Talent` competition. Next year, Jane intends to study for a BSc degree in Nursing at the University of the South West , in Dumfries. Jane says, "I feel honoured to have been selected to sing this song, as it is something I have always wanted to do. It is my goal to do the song justice and I`m really excited about singing in front of the Guid Nychburris supporters of Dumfries".    

Chaperones: Lorna Hamilton. Lorna is a teacher of Pastoral Care and Physical Education at St Josephs College. She said, " Being a proud Doonhamer, I have enjoyed Guid Nychburris for many years. I am both excited and honoured to accompany this year`s Queen of the South and her attendants.       

Gillian Sneddon Of St Josephs College said, "I am happy to take on the pleasant duty of Chaperone 2009, accompanying the girls from St Josephs College. Being a past Queen of the South, I know what a great honour it is.  

The role of chaperone for 2009 has been split between two members of St Josephs staff to lighten the load.

Courier: Raymond Findlater. No stranger to Guid Nychburris is our Courier this year, Raymond Findlater as he has ridden the marches for the last 30 years. He comes from a family who have been actively involved with Guid Nychburris for many years. Raymond was a Lynor in 1987 to Andy Bell and Andrea Hodgson and his brother Michael and nephews Russell and Bruce have also been Lynors. His wife Christine and two sons Ross and Ciaran also participate in the marches and rideouts. Raymond has been in the motor trade since leaving school, serving his time as a mechanic and then working in sales. He is presently employed by Moss Motors as a salesman.       

Pursuivant: John Miller. John is a local buinessman whose main concern is as a haulage contractor. He is married to Margaret who is a PE Teacher at Wallace Hall Academy. They have three children, Emma, a student at Edinburgh University, Finlay, a local tree surgeon and Ewan who is at Dumfries Academy. Much of John`s leisure time is spent with Dumfries Saints Rugby Club where he is President.

John was a Lynor in 1983 to Cornet Jeff Mckean and Lass Fiona McFarlane. After twenty one year rest, he then fulfilled a promise to Lass Nikki Gordon in 2004 when he rode the marches in her year. He was then Courier in 2006 and was one of Pursuivant Neil Gourlay`s Men in 2007. John is extremely honoured to be Pursuivant Elect for 2009.      

Pursuivants Men: Neil Gourlay who was Guid Nychburris Pursuivant in 2007, farms at Moniave and is married to Mary who was Queen of the South in 1975. Neil was also Lynor in 1984 to Cornet Harold Paul and Lass Joyce Murchie. Neil recently ended his two-year tenure as Chairman of the Smithfield Show. A proud father of two, Neil is delighted to again be involved in the festivities.   

Rob Orr is 46 years old and lives at The Racks, Collin. He is married to Julie and they have two boys, one away at University and the other still at Dumfries High School. Rob works for Skills Development Scotland and is a keen rugby follower. For the past eleven years he has coached youth sides at Dumfries Saints Rugby Club, last year taking the Colts side on tour to Italy. This will be his first experience of riding at the festivities and on a good day, considers himself a novice rider.        

Ian Murchie was born in Dumfries in 1956 and attended Dumfries Academy Primary and Secondary Schools before going on to Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, where he gained a Bsc Hons in Biochemistry. Ian is Production Director at Howie Forest Products in Dalbeattie, which Ian tells us is the largest sawmill in the UK.

Ian`s past Guid Nychburris roles were Courier in 1983 and Lynor along with Neil Gourlay in 1984, to Harold Paul and Lass Joyce Murchie, (Ian`s sister). He is married to Fiona with three great kids, Katie who is Queen of the South Attendant this year, Emma and Cameron, all of whom are at Troqueer Primary School. Ian said, " I`m a keen rugby supporter, a former Dumfries Captain and if I have any spare time left, (see family notes above) I enjoy fly fishing on the Nith and other local waters".  

Dougie Murray (Dougie) is aged 52 and was brought up North of the Southern Uplands and educated at Keil School, Dumbarton and at Glasgow, Stirling and Dundee Universities. He has been naturalised in Dumfries for the last 32 years and is married to Gail and has three daughters and one son who pretend to be grown up.

He is a partner in the local Chartered Accountancy Practice of Carson & Trotter and when not working, he is a Committee Member and Coach at Dumfries Saints Rugby Club, also currently holding the position of Secretary of the Rotary Club of Dumfries Devorgilla. A practising golfer, he enjoys sport, DIY and of course, gardening!. Dougie said, "I am honoured to be taking part in the Guid Nychburris Festivities this year and am looking forward to learning the art of riding, my least seat on a horse being very brief, some 36 years ago!. 

The Pursuivants Men are selected by the Pursuivant from his personal acqaintances to lend support while carrying out the various duties required of him. 

Town Clerk: Kenny McCall
The Town Clerk`s job is to read out the Charter during the ceremonial part of Guid Nychburris day. The Charter is a document conferring certain rights and privileges on the citizens of the town, most valuable in the middle ages because it nearly always implied freedom from some of the restricted practices of the feudal system and the right to impose taxes.

Crowning Lady: Fiona Hyslop. Says it is a great honour to be asked to take part in this year`s celebrations. "I have been followjng Guid Nychburris for a number of years now and have always enjoyed being part of this historic day. My Husband Ivor, who is Leader of D & G Council, has been Baillie on a number of occasions and is a former pupil of St Joseph`s College.

I attended Terregles Primary and Maxwelltown High School and after leaving school, worked in the catering industry, leaving that vocation to attend Dumfries & Galloway College for three years, qualifying with an HND in beauty therapy. I have three children who will hopefully be watching on Guid Nychburris Day, so it gives me great pleasure to be crowning this year`s Queen of the South". 

Halberdiers: Ewan McCall & Finlay McCall.

Provost: Jack Groom. 

Baillies: Micky Collins

Gill Dykes

John Caskie

Lorna McGowan

Town Drummer: David Harkness.
The Drummer announces to the citizens the coming of the Pursuivant, and to summon them to the Midsteeple to hear the Charter proclaimed. He is in fact the Town Crier.

Bugler: Arran Fitzpatrick                                                                                             The Bugler provides several fanfares during the historic ceremonial proceedings included in the festivities.