Peebles


This picturesque small town is located 23 miles south of Edinburgh in the beautiful valley of the Tweed on the north bank of the river, surrounded by hills and forests. One of Scotland's royal and ancient burghs, Peebles was a major centre for brewing in the 18th century and played a role in the woollen industry over the next two. One woollen mill remains today, but Peebles is essentially a modern market town and holiday resort with fishing, golfing, tennis and pony-trekking.


There has been a settlement in this area for thousands of years: a church was established on the west side of the town before AD600. Today, the parish church of 1887 with its ornate and imposing tower, beautiful stained glass windows, dark pews and galleries, stands at one end of the high street. A castle was built in Peebles in 1152 and is now a ruin; to the west of the town stands the 14th century grey stone Neidpath Castle, open to the public. In 1810 it was brought by the Earl of Wemyss, whose family still occupies it. Another extraordinarily notable historic building is Traquair House, surrounded by scenic hills and forest at nearby Innerleithen. Established 900 years ago as a regular retreat to Scottish kings, it is the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland and has been in the same family for 600 years. After various modifications, its appearance is very much as it was 300 years ago.


Peebles today is a beautifully old-fashioned and lively town, ranked in 2005 as the best in Scotland (second best in the UK) for its individual identity and range of independent shops. Quite resistant to change, it glories in its tearooms, gift shops and the incomparable department store, Veitch's, of which one local said ‘the man who shops at Veitch's will never go in, or out, of fashion’.


The locals say 'Peebles for Pleasure'. Parking is free and there is plenty to do. The Eastgate Theatre, opened in 2004, offers theatre, music and art exhibitions. On the south side of wide High Street, the Chambers Institute, housed in a beautiful white-rendered building, features the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery, charmingly set in a courtyard overlooked through mullion bay windows. The Cornice Museum recreates an ornamental plasterer's workshop. St Ronan's Wells Interpretation Centre has an attractive pavilion overlooking Leithen Valley and admission is free between April and October to the see the exhibition that explains the origins of the unique Cleikum ceremonies, held in July each year, and describes the connections the Wells had with the great Scottish writers, Sir Walter Scott and James Hogg. For outdoor enjoyment, The Dawyck Botanic gardens are in nearby Stobo, and there is plenty of opportunity for golfing, fishing, mountain biking and walking.
Peebles enjoys its traditions and, like other Border festivals, has a common riding. Their festival is called Beltane Week, which culminates in the crowning of the Beltane Queen (the most academically successful primary school girl).