Beltane Bell Trophy

1983 Cornet Allan MacDonald (centre) is pictured with his lass, Lesley Parker, handing over the prized Beltane Bell trophy to horse race winner John Wilson of Lasswade, Midlothian.

"Ye Beltane Bell" was gifted by Peebleans exiled in the USA. It is a silver replica of Philadelphia's historic Liberty Bell, which was rung in 1776 to proclaim America's independence. Each year the race for the Beltane Bell provides one of the week's major highlights.

The first restored Beltane Bell race was held in Hay Lodge Park in 1913. The original race course had gone from Nether Horsburgh to the Eastgate, but due to the increase in traffic on the road, it moved first to Hay Lodge and then on to Peebles Golf Course, where it still takes place today.

Record details

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• Scran ID: 000-000-592-962-C
• Resource Rights Holder: Bert Robb & Eric Stevenson
• Project: The DIGBY Project
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: BF/PEEB/16
• Date: June 1983 (date of Race for the Beltane Bell)
  
• Material: Black and white photographic print
  
• Dimensions:
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: Allan MacDonald (cornet, 1983)
  
• Where: Scotland, Scottish Borders, Peebles, High Street, Tontine Hotel (venue for the presentation of trophies won at the Beltane horse races)
  
• Event: Beltane Festival (Beltane Bell horse race is run as part of the Beltane Festival)
  
• Description: Cornet and his Lass present the Beltane Bell to race winner
  
• References:
  • Peebles March riding and Beltane Queen Festival Centenary, 1899-1999 - Editor, Douglas Wright. 
• Translations:
• Related Records:
  • Pathfinder Pack on We've won the Cup!