AN ARTISTIC horse parade is taking place in the Musselburgh area to celebrate this year’s Riding of the Marches.

Over the next few weeks, four life-sized horses and 10 foals, mainly decorated by local schoolchildren, will pop up in the Honest Toun, Wallyford and Whitecraig.

The first horse, which is now in place, has been put on a raft and floated on the boat pond at Levenhall Lagoons. It is bright pink, with glow-in-the-dark bird footprints, a seagull on its head and a giant spider crawling up its leg.

Named Gaia, the nature horse, it stands in the middle of the boat pond.

All seven catchment area primary schools – Campie, Stoneyhill, Burgh, Pinkie St Peter's, Loretto RC, Wallyford and Whitecraig – and Musselburgh Grammar School are involved in the initiative.

The creative effort is part of ‘Making Musselburgh Marvellous’ and ‘Making Wallyford and Whitecraig Wonderful’ for Riding of the Marches, a boundary marking ceremony which takes place every 21 years.

The pupils have been working with artist and Musselburgh Grammar teacher Emma Lawrence to produce their own school horse. Every child of primary school age and many nursery children will have their artwork used to adorn the animals. Loretto Juniors have also decorated a horse. Each primary school has a foal to decorate and has chosen its own theme for the design. Musselburgh Grammar has its own 2.1-metre high horse to brighten up.

Gaynor Allen, head of media for Riding of the Marches, said: “Our very own horse parade will go hand in hand with all the yarn bombing that we have placed over the town for the last few months.

“This is really a bit of fun. It is about engaging with people young and old and instilling a sense of pride and occasion into this year’s Riding of the Marches.

“We also want to give everyone an excuse to get outside and visit the horses, which are places all over the town from Murdoch’s Green to Whitecraig, to Queen Margaret University and Newhailes.”

Themes for the horses are all Musselburgh related and include golf, nature, the sea, ice cream, birds, mining, famous buildings and famous people. The remaining horses include a knitted horse to fit in with the Riding of the Marches yarn bombing.

Money for the project came from Awards For All, which is part of the Big Lottery Fund. Musselburgh Wagon Coachworks gave workshop space to store and decorate the horses, and spray painted 12 of them.

A leaflet about the trail will go out to all schoolchildren and will be available around the town. This has been designed by graphic artist Bill Walsh, creator of the River Esk Plaque Trail.