Former Knowepark and High School pupil Emma Meechan will be installed as Hunter’s Lass on Thursday, May 29, and will be at the forefront of the main-day ceremonies on the Saturday.

Emma is the granddaughter of Jean Proudfoot and Merchant Company Master, Andrew.

Her mum Fiona is Jean’s daughter by her late husband, Ken Wightman, who was a journalist with the Daily Record.

Emma, 20, moved to Penicuik eight years ago when mum Fiona Baxter remarried. She completed her education at Penicuik High School.

She will lead the Midlothian’s town celebrations alongside the Hunter, 21-year-old Craig Walby, a crew travel co-ordinator with Fly Globespan.

And she can’t wait for the big week. After her selection she enthused: “I feel really honoured and really excited. I am definitely thrilled and looking forward to having a good year in office.”

Emma played hockey at the High School and since moving to Penicuik has turned out for Bonnyrigg Ladies and Murray International, and is now with Inverleith, although an injury has curtailed her playing activities this season.

She is in her final year studying podiatry at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.

During Emma’s Selkirk childhood, while her mum Fiona was attending the Police College at Tulliallan, Emma spent a great deal of time with Andrew and Jean.

Andrew told us: “We lived at Ashkirk at the time and Emma learned to ride at Dryden. She rode Selkirk Common Riding in 1995, the year I was Merchant Company Standard Bearer.

“Jean and I are very proud of her achievements and hope to fit in some of the Penicuik celebrations, including the ball.”

Hunter and Lass Committee chairwoman Fiona Gibson said: “We were delighted with both the number and the quality of candidates who came forward. Making a final decision was extremely hard.”

Emma and Craig will be attending many of the Border common ridings and festivals throughout the summer.