A Guide for Visiting the Scottish Borders
Galashiels, Melrose, Selkirk and Peebles are Tourist Favourites.
Sep 18, 2008
Galashiels, Melrose, Selkirk and Peebles are all within easy reach of each other. They welcome tourists keen to experience rural Scotland and learn about the fascinating local history.
Galashiels - Famous for Textiles
Galashiels is another Scottish Borders town which owes much of its prosperity to the textile industry. The town is the subject of two poems by the great Scottish bard, Robert Burns. Today, visitors can admire the impressive 19th century Burgh Chambers or perhaps take in a game of rugby, a highly popular sport in the Borders.
Melrose - A Favourite with Robert the Bruce and Sir Walter Scott
The town of Melrose somehow managed to avoid the Industrial Revolution, and remains an unspoilt place. Melrose Abbey is well known as being the final resting place of Robert the Bruce’s Heart. The Scottish warrior king's body was interred in the Fife town of Dunfermline. The town also has a connection to the author Sir Walter Scott, who lived in the grand Abbotsford House. The house is now a popular visitor attraction. Each year the town holds the world famous Melrose Sevens rugby tournament.
Selkirk - Immortalised by the Scottish Poet Robert Burns
Selkirk can trace its history back to the sixth century. With a population of only around 6,000 people it is not a large place, but has played a significant role in Scottish history. It was in Selkirk that William Wallace, the inspiration for the film, “Braveheart”, was declared the Guardian of Scotland. Nowadays, tourist can visit the site where the momentous event occurred.
“Selkirk Grace”, one of the best known works by Robert Burns, remains popular in Scotland, particularly on Burns Night celebrations;
“Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae the Lord be thankit.”
The town also has links to an American President, as it is where Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ancestors came from. Several of them are buried in the area. Selkirk is also home to Gala Rig horse racing course, the oldest in the country.
Peebles - A Popular Scottish Holiday Destination
The town of Peebles is an ideal place to visit on a day trip from Edinburgh, being just over 20 miles south of the city. Peebles is spread over both sides of the River Tweed and has much to keep visitors interested.
The 14th century Neidpath Castle lies nearby and, although privately owned, it is open to the public between May and September. Located in the town is the 13th century Cross Kirk, which is open all year and is free to visit. There are also two historic gardens which are worth a visit. These are Kailzie Gardens and the Dawyck Botanic Garden.
Peebles is a popular destination for both tourists and Scots alike. It has some excellent hotels and restaurants. Perhaps the most interesting is the Cross Keys Hotel, a favourite of Sir Walter Scott’s and home to a resident ghost.
For more places worth visiting in the Scottish Borders, please click here.
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