The May Day observances were drawn from two sources—the fire-rites from the Celtic tradition, and the flower-rites from the roman Floralia. The floral festival predominated throughout Europe, and was found even in regions that had never seen the advance of the Roman Eagles. 

With the de-Celticisation of south-eastern Scotland, the floralia were super-imposed upon the native rites; and although in the rural areas such Druidical rites at the bonfires, the bringing in of rowan branches, the pilgrimages to magic wells, and the gathering of May-dew were retained, in the burghs we find the May-pole, the May Queen and King, and the games and dancing that are associated with the festival south of the Border and beyond the Channel.

In the burghs the ceremonies were directed by a mock ‘Abbot.�?nbsp; Usually some person of standing was appointed, but if he found it inconsistent with his dignity to caper and dance and incite his neighbours to do likewise, he was excused upon payment of a fine.

Before the day dawned on Beltane morning, the young people were up and off to the woods for branches of rowan, birch and other greenery, and having decked their doors and windows, they returned to make ready the maypole.  To the woods, too, was bound a joyous procession of apprentices, journeymen, and master craftsmen, all in their best attire.   

 The accounts of the Edinburgh Hammermen show that in 1496 they engaged standard-bearers and a mounted minstrel ‘passand to Newbottill,�?and that branches of rowan were carried in great quantities ‘the day at we brocht haym summyr with ye toune.�?nbsp;

In 1501 there are references to ‘horses for the standard-bearers�?and ‘birkis till our craft at met us apon ye burrowmure.�?nbsp; At Dumfries, the Muckmen (day labourers), fully armed and fantastically dressed, rode out to Dalskairth and returned, each carrying a branch of young green birch, and afterwards competed in horse races; while in Aberdeen, in 1562, the burgh bellman was accused of summoning ‘ye haill communitie or sa mony thair of as wad convene to pass to ye wood to bring in symmer upoun ye first sonday of maij.�?