Devised by Lara Friedman~Shedlov, with help from Helen Bruce, Dan Friedman~Shedlov, and Janet
and Stuart McKernan. Debuted on 5 July 2015 on the lower green of the village of West Linton,
Scotland (see https://youtu.be/GzQ5HUfricM). The dance represents the traditions of the annual
Whipman Play , with the Whipman and his lass riding out, along with the left and right hand
supporters.
It is also a play on the traditional dance, “The Linton Ploughman.”
Whipman is the old Scots word for a carter or carrier, and the story of the Linton play began in 1803
when the Whipman Benevolent Society, providing mutual aid to its members, held their annual
meeting. The Whipman Play is an annual summer festival held in the village of West Linton, and is one
of the Scottish Borders’ oldest festivals. A local man is elected to the office of “Whipman” and he
chooses a young lady to be his “Lass”. The celebrations begin with the Installation of the Whipman
and Lass, followed by a celebratory ceilidh. The following day, the Ride Out (of around 80 to 100
horses) introduces the Whipman to the area, and a full week of events culminates in the annual sports
day, held on the village green.
*When Summer smiles in sweet delight,
And field are starred with daisies white,
Upon a certain gladsome night,
Rejoicings start in Linton.*