The Edinburgh March Riding Assocation (EMRA) and the Incoporated Trades of Edinburgh have close links.
The EMRA Ball is a fund raising event and a social occasion prior to the March Riding.
The Kirking has most recently taken place in Greyfriars Kirk. It is the occassion where the Lord Provost presents the Edinburgh City Colours to the Edinburgh Captain and charges him to check the bounds of the CIty and return the colours and report back in one week. As part of the event there is also a guided walk around the Flodden Wall of Edinburgh.
The EMRA Riding of the Marches is the big event for EMRA. During the morning some 300 horse riders check some of the bundaries. The group then make their way up the Royal Mile to the Merkat Cross. In front of 20 000 spectators the City Colours are returned to teh Lord Provost, hopefully “Unstained and unsullied”. The procession leading the horse riders is a sight to see and it includes the Lord Provost, The Lord Dean of Guild and the Deacon Convener, Edinburgh’s first, second and third citizens. The Deacons and Banners of the Incorporated Trades are in the procession, along with members of the Merchants Company, Edinburgh High Constables, Councillors and marching bands.
Full details of all EMRA events can be found on their website.