Selkirk

About six miles southwest of Melrose, on the A7 to Hawick, is the little town of Selkirk, standing on the edge of the Ettrick Forest which rises steeply from the Ettrick Water. Our visitor guide to Selkirk in the Scottish borders. Includes info on Yarrow Water and Ettrick Water, eating options, what to see and do and accommodation.

code: +44 (0)1750
Population: 6,000

Selkirk has been a textile centre since the early 19th century when the growing demand for tweed could no longer be met by the mills of Galashiels. Those mills are closed now and Selkirk is a quiet, unassuming place that only comes to life during the Selkirk Gathering in June, the largest of the Border Ridings. Selkirk is handily placed for visiting the other Border towns and sights, and makes a good base for touring the area.

Eating Out

Possibilities for eating are limited. The County Hotel , Tel 21233, on the High St, serves decent bar meals; and the Court House Coffee Shop, on Market Sq, does snacks and high teas. There's also a coffee shop at the Selkirk Glass Visitor Centre. Or you can try the local speciality, Bannock bread, from Jackie Lunns on Market Sq.

Region

Scottish Borders

Travel Directions to Selkirk

The A7 runs south to Hawick and north to Galashiels and Melrose, while the A699 heads east to Kelso, via St Boswells. The A708 runs southwest towards Moffat and the A707 takes you northwest to meet the A72 to Innerleithen and Peebles. First Edinburgh bus No 95 runs frequently to and from Edinburgh and Hawick, via Selkirk and Galashiels. There are also regular daily buses to Langholm and Carlisle. There's a bus to Moffat , on Sat only. All buses leave from Market Sq. The Tourist Information Centre is next to Halliwell's House on Market Sq, Tel 20054. Apr-May, Jun, Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1600; Jul, Aug Mon-Sat 0930-1730, Sun 1400-1700; Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1400-1600. Hours may vary.

Roads

Local Sights & Activities for Selkirk

Halliwell's House Museum and Robson Gallery features an 18th-century ironmongers and tells the story of the town and its industry. The gallery has a changing programme of temporary exhibitions. Info: Same opening hours as the tourist office. Free. Closed for renovations until Apr 2002. Tel 20096. Also on Market Square is Walter Scott's Courtroom, where Sir Walter Scott served as Sheriff of Selkirk from 1799 to 1832. It houses an exhibition on his life and writings. Info: Apr-end Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1600; Jun-Aug also Sun 1400-1600; Oct Mon-Sat 1300-1600. Free. Outside the courtroom is a statue of the great novelist, and at the other end of the High Street is a statue of Mungo Park (1771-1805), the famous explorer and anti-slavery campaigner who was born in Selkirkshire. At the northern end of town, on the A7 to Galashiels, is Selkirk Glass, a thriving local industry, where you can see glass-blowing displays. Info: Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1100-1700. Free. Tel 20954.

Nearby Ancient Monuments

Dryburgh Abbey
Idyllic Border ruins beside the Tweed dating from 1150 and burial place of Sir Walter Scott
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Selkirk Hotels & Accommodation

Philipburn Country House Hotel, Linglie Rd, Tel 720747, Email Philip Burn House Hotel. Upmarket accommodation and good food. There are also cheaper hotels in town, such as the dependable, family-runGlen Hotel, Yarrow Terr, Tel/Fax 20259, Email Glen Hotel and the Heatherlie House Hotel at Heatherlie Park, Tel 21200, Heatherlie There are some good value B&Bs, including Hillholm, 36 Hillside Terr, Tel 21293; and Sunnybrae House, 75 Tower St, T21156. The cheapest place around is the SYHA Broadmeadows Youth Hostel at Yarrowford, Tel 76262; open end-Mar to end Sep, 5 miles west of Selkirk on the A708, beyond Bowhill. There's a campsite at Victoria Park Caravan & Camping Site, Tel 20897, beside the river next to the indoor swimming pool.

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