Galashiels

How prized Borders wool made Roxburgh a royal trading centre and Berwick Scotland’s richest port — and how war broke the commercial world that connected them.

Watch Mark Nicol meet a little egret hunting along the River Tweed, and look more closely at the wildlife of the Scottish Borders.

From spinning yarns to etching circuits, the Scottish Borders quietly powered a new era of industry. This blog explores the rise of electronics giants like Bepi, Exacta, and Viasystems in Galashiels and Selkirk—how they transformed rural skill into global tech.

Mark follows the earthwork known as Wallace’s Trench in the hills between Galashiels and Innerleithen, asking what its name and the Catrail can tell us.

Laidlaw & Fairgrieve was a cornerstone of Galashiels’ textile boom from the 1860s until its closure in 1999. Founded by pioneers William Laidlaw and Thomas Fairgrieve, the mill churned out high-quality woollen and cashmere yarns that helped shape Galashiels and Selkirk.

In the nineteenth century, William Thomson’s Tweed Vineyards at Clovenfords defied the Scottish climate. Beneath acres of glass, his grapes ripened for export across Britain, carried by rail from Galashiels to London.

For centuries, the post connected the scattered farms and towns of the Scottish Borders. From riders and mail coaches to railways and rural vans, the Post Office became the heartbeat of community life.

From medieval markets to online shopping, this sweeping history traces how retail shaped the Scottish Borders – from mercat crosses and family shops to supermarkets, discounters, and e-commerce – with Galashiels standing at the centre of the region’s ever-changing trade.

Discover how World War II shaped the Scottish Borders: daily life, bombings, heroes, hidden airfields, war factories, and stories from every town.

Peel Hospital near Galashiels served the Borders for decades in wartime huts. Discover its unique story and why the Borders General Hospital replaced it.

Discover the remarkable story of the fire service in the Scottish Borders — from volunteer brigades and horse-drawn pumps to modern engines and major rescues. This in-depth history uncovers station origins, heroic incidents, and local firefighting folklore.

The King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) trace a proud lineage from the upheaval of 1689 through global conflicts to their 2006 merger. From battling Jacobites to storming Normandy, their story is woven into the heart of the Scottish Borders.

Peebles, a royal burgh in the heart of the Scottish Borders, hides centuries of stories in its lanes and landscapes. Explore medieval ruins, legendary sites, and timeless traditions.

Tucked away in the woods near Galashiels, the Fairy Glen is home to strange round “fairy stones” — volcanic relics wrapped in local legend. These formations are where geology meets folklore, with whispers of fairies and nods from Sir Walter Scott himself.

A 2,000-year-old hill fort near Galashiels, long hidden beneath dense woodland, is revealed as trees are cleared for the first time in over a century. This spring, Rink Fort steps back into the light—ready to share its ancient story.

With no major written history of the land it stands on, I set out to uncover how my hometown of Galashiels truly grew. 🏘️ From forest clearances and Reiver roots to woollen mills and Braw Lads pride, its story lives in landscapes and local memory.

📣 Live Talk – Thursday 9th February 2023 🕢 7.30pm | 📍 Volunteer Hall, Galashiels 🎟️ Entrance £4 – Pay at the Door Join me for an evening exploring the untold history of Galashiels during the Border Reivers era. Discover how this turbulent time links to a mysterious ancient drawbridge once standing in the area — a forgotten piece of local heritage with st

In Galashiels stands a striking war memorial — often hailed as Scotland’s greatest — featuring not a modern soldier, but a fierce 16th-century Border Reiver. 🏇 Why does a monument to the fallen of WWI and WWII honour a raider from centuries before? The answer lies in identity, resilience, and a region’s enduring spirit.

Deep in the forests of the Tweed Valley, a search unfolds for a forgotten Border Reiver tower — hidden, weathered, and rich in untold stories. 🌲🏰 Amid solitude and trees, the legacy of Cardrona Tower rises once more.

In Galashiels, a 17th-century Latin-inscribed gravestone is translated, revealing a poignant tribute to those lost at the Battle of Dunbar. ⚔️ Hidden in the Gala Aisle, it echoes the voices of Covenanters and a forgotten chapter of Borders history.

Exploring the lost village of Westhouses near Galashiels, traces of a forgotten tower, an old inn, and the Ormiston family’s stronghold begin to surface. 🏰 Even more remarkably, evidence emerges of Westhouses Corn Mill — the first known mill in Galashiels.

As the cavalcade of horses rides proudly into the heart of Galashiels, the town pauses to remember its fallen heroes — from Flodden and Ancrum Moor to Bannockburn, the Great War, and World War II. 🏇 A moment where Border tradition meets deep remembrance.

Every summer, Scottish Border towns come alive with Common Ridings and Gatherings — vibrant events that honour centuries of local history, pride, and tradition. 🏇 At their heart is the horse, a lasting symbol of freedom and resilience since the days of the Border Reivers.

On the evening of the 2019 Summer Solstice, a walker climbs Eildon Hill North to capture the sun’s golden descent over the Scottish Borders. 🌄 As light fades, the ancient landscape glows with the quiet magic of midsummer.

While out exploring near Galashiels, a lucky moment captures a roe deer moving silently through the Borders landscape. 🦌 A brief but magical glimpse into the wild heart of Hidden Scotland.

While investigating the mysterious Pict’s Hill near Galashiels, surprising evidence emerges — from ancient earthworks to cup-marked stones hinting at long-lost tribal presence. 🛡️ Could this be proof the Picts once shaped the Borders landscape?

This summer, Bill Jeffrey is taking on the Southern Upland Way to raise funds for Galashiels’ Christmas lights — bringing festive cheer one step at a time! 🎄🚶‍♂️ Support the cause and follow his journey.

On 1st June 2019, thousands marched peacefully through the streets of Galashiels as part of the All Under One Banner movement, calling for Scottish Independence. 🟡 It was a powerful show of unity, pride, and hope from the heart of the Borders.

While exploring a quiet burn near Galashiels, a man and his greyhound are treated to a rare and magical sight — otters playing in the wild. 🦦🐾 A fleeting moment of Borders nature at its best.

A 12-mile trek from Galashiels to Black Hill near Earlston offers a perfect blend of stunning scenery and rich history — from the quiet beauty of Elwyn Glen to views over the ancient Roman site of Trimontium. 🥾🏞️ A journey through landscapes shaped by centuries.

The execution of William Cockburn by King James V marked the end of one of the Border’s most feared Reivers — a tale steeped in betrayal and blood. 🏰 An investigation into his fate leads to the lost ruins of Cockburn’s castle and chapel near Galashiels, where legend and landscape still remember his name.

Bingo!!! Finally captured a kingfisher on film in Galashiels — a flash of electric blue along the Gala Water! 🐦💙 Proof that even in town, nature’s magic is never far away.

In Galashiels, a search begins for traces of a long-lost drawbridge, once said to span the River Tweed near Lowood — a crossing tied to clan conflict, the Pringle family, and echoes of Flodden. 🌉 Could this forgotten bridge have played a hidden role in the town’s medieval past?

“Put to the horn” was a powerful legal sentence in medieval Scotland — it meant being declared an outlaw. 📯 For Border Reivers, it was a common punishment: a public proclamation made by sounding a horn, stripping the accused of all legal protection. From that moment, they were fair game.

We welcomed the first sunrise of 2019 at the ancient site of Torwoodlee Broch in the Scottish Borders — a place where Iron Age stone meets spiritual stillness. 🌄 As the light broke over the hills, it felt like stepping between worlds.

A journey from Tweedbank to Caddonlee uncovers a powerful link to Scotland’s military past — once the historic muster ground for massed Scottish armies heading south to war. ⚔️ Beneath the quiet Borders landscape lies the echo of marching feet and the roar of history in motion.

The haunting silhouette of Buckholm Tower looms over the Gala Water, steeped in tales of cruelty and revenge. Said to be haunted by the victims of its infamous laird, these images capture the brooding atmosphere of one of the Borders’ darkest legends.

In a surreal, nightmare-ish vision of the future, Galashiels becomes a fortress — its streets barricaded, its borders guarded, and everyone desperate to get in. 🏰 What could possibly make this quiet Borders town the centre of such chaotic desire?

A search unfolds around Galashiels for the three elusive Stone Age brochs believed to have stood at the dawn of the first millennium. 🏺 These ancient drystone towers hint at a forgotten chapter of fortified life in the Scottish Borders.

A search for the legendary site of the Battle of Degsastan leads deep into the Scottish Borders, uncovering dramatic landscapes and long-lost clues to one of the earliest recorded Anglo-Scottish conflicts. ⚔️ As the pieces come together, the past feels strikingly close.

The Lowland Clearances quietly transformed the Scottish Borders in the 18th–19th centuries, displacing thousands as traditional villages gave way to industrial farms and estate improvements. Though less famous than their Highland counterpart, their impact was equally profound.

Visiting some modest waterfalls around Galashiels quickly turns into a bigger quest — to track down the wild, dramatic and rarely-seen Wolf Cleuch Falls near Hawick. A hidden gem deep in the Scottish Borders landscape.

While walking along the River Tweed, an observer captures the timeless spectacle of salmon leaping upstream. A powerful reminder of nature’s seasonal rhythms in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

This walk uncovers the lost Blindlee Tower and the curious natural formations of the Meigle Pots — steeped in folklore and mystery. Also includes a light-hearted clip from “Am no a Grass” for good measure!

Scattered across the remote hills of the Scottish Borders lie mysterious, ancient graves said to belong to unknown pipers. Their haunting tunes are long silent, but their legends still echo from Galashiels to Innerleithen and Ednam.

Pringle tour from Discover Scottish Borders

Buckholm Tower – Galashiels If you live in Galashiels or frequent the town is hard to miss the ancient ruins that over looks the town from Buckholm hill. Growing up in the Borders we generally accept that Peel towers from the “days of unrest” from reivers exists and are common landmarks and monuments to what went

Searching for the legendary “Wallace’s Putting Stone” atop Meigle Hill in Galashiels, this journey blends myth, landscape, and a touch of national pride. At the summit, echoes of Scotland’s past meet panoramic views of the Borders.

Join an emotional journey through the rivers and burns of the Scottish Borders in pursuit of the elusive otter — from quiet patience to heart-racing glimpses. A beautiful reminder that wild magic still exists close to home.

While walking near Galashiels, unexpected wildlife moments unfold — with sleek otters slipping through the water and a peregrine falcon soaring overhead. A reminder that even local walks can offer wild surprises.

A curious similarity between two statues—one in Galashiels, the other in Carlisle—sets off a journey into the past. The trail leads to the legend of Johnnie Armstrong, the most notorious of all the Border Reivers.

We sacrificed our New Year to camp out in the remote Scottish Borders — all to uncover clues about the legendary Tarbh Uisge, the Water Bull of folklore. What we found could change everything we thought we knew about this ancient tale.

Ever wondered where the people of the Central Scottish Borders came from? This journey traces the ancient tribes who shaped the heartland of the Borders — from the Selgovae to the shadow of Rome.

Explore the lesser-known connections between William Wallace and the town of Galashiels. Was the Guardian of Scotland more present in the Borders than we’ve been led to believe?

Discover the legends that link King Arthur to the Scottish Borders — from ancient battle sites to mythical landscapes. Could this be the true Camelot of the north?

Follow the legendary Catrail — also known as the Picts’ Ditch — from the mysterious Rink Fort to the Iron Age marvel of Torwoodlee Broch. A journey through ancient landscapes and forgotten frontiers in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

The Braw Lads’ Gathering in Galashiels is a proud celebration of Border heritage, uniting history, horses, and community spirit. 🐎 From dawn ride-outs to the symbolic Mixing of the Roses, tradition rides strong.