Galashiels
Galashiels lies at the heart of the Borders, and is historically the centre of the 'Tweed' industry. Powered by the rivers, the 19th century Border mills clothes the world in textiles, inspiring the name 'Tweed'. Galashiels thrummed to the sound of classic and innovative designs passing down the generations of Border weavers. The traditions continue today in this university town at Heriot Watt's School of Textile and Design.
Galashiels sits on the A7, one of the main routes throughout the Borders linking Edinburgh and Carlisle. Galashiels communication routes will again improve in late 2015 with the reintroduction of the Borders railway. The rail service will encourage economic growth, inward investment and increase tourism opportunities - along with new opportunities in leisure and learning
The town also boasts lively nightlife, the Pavilion Cinema, and the Netherdale and Tweedbank sports complexes. Near Gala, the Southern Upland Way binds 200 miles of fell, law, loch, knowe and moor between Scotland's east and west coasts.
Every Border town has its own unique common riding, and together they define the Borders. The Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering unites a community in pride, with hundreds on horseback riding the marches of history. Between 1812-32, Scott lavished his entire fortune on building Abbotsford: his romantic home on the banks of the Tweed near Gala.
Population (2011) - 14,994
www.galashiels.bordernet.co.uk
