Friday March 20th 2026
Legendary yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Scottish Borders Council is being asked to restore an honour last bestowed on legendary yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth decades ago – before the local authority was even created.
Hawick-born Sir Chay became an honorary ‘Freeman’ of the Borders following his solo non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 1971.
But no-one else has achieved that honour since Scottish Borders Council was created on April 1, 1996, following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994.
It was established as a unitary authority, replacing the previous two-tier structure of the Borders Regional Council and its four district councils (Berwickshire, Ettrick and Lauderdale, Roxburgh, and Tweeddale) which had operated since 1975.
Now Hawick & Denholm Independent councillor Clare Ramage is urging fellow elected members to identify a Borderer worth of such recognition.
When members of SBC meet next week she will present a motion calling for the honour’s return.
The motion states: “Scottish Borders Council retains the statutory power to admit persons of distinction or those who have rendered great service to the area as Freemen/Freewomen of the area.
“This honorary title was bestowed on Sir Chay Blyth, the world-renowned yachtsman and Hawick native, following his solo non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 1971.
“SBC has never granted the Freedom of the Borders to any individual and many residents would like to see this honour being brought back into use.
“Council therefore agrees to ask the Director Corporate Governance to prepare a draft Policy and Procedural Framework which, if approved at a future meeting of council, would establish lawful, transparent, and consistent processes for conferring the honorary title of Freeman/ Freewoman of the Scottish Border area and would therefore enable this honour to be granted once again.”
Selecting an Honorary Freeman or Freewoman for a region (city, borough, or parish) in the UK is a formal process, usually initiated by local councils to honor individuals who have provided exceptional service to the community.
The process is governed by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, which requires a high standard of selection and formal approval.
Nominations are typically made by a serving councillor, but sometimes residents can suggest candidates.
Tweet Share on Facebook
