Selkirk
Once the important county town of Selkirkshire, Selkirk is now a quiet royal burgh sitting on the fringe of the Ettrick Forest. An ancient town, it was originally the site of the first of the Border abbeys, founded in 1113. However, 15 yrs later, before a single stone was laid, the monks were moved from Selkirk to Kelso By David I of Scotland, and they established their abbey in that town instead.
At the centre of Selkirk, at one end of the High Street, is the tiny Market Square, in which a number of statues stand. The most prominent is that of Sir Walter Scott, standing high above the Old Courthouse where he served as sheriff for 33 yrs until his death in 1832. The building is now referred to as Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom, and within is an audio visual display telling of his associations with the area. Located at the other end of the High Street is a rather more unusual statue commemorating Mungo Park, the renowned explorer and surgeon who was born in nearby Yarrow in 1771. The statue base displays two finely cast bas-reliefs depicting his exploits along the River Niger, which ended tragically with his accidental drowning in 1805; his son is also commemorated after he too died in tragic circumstances, searching for his father's body, in 1827.
The oldest building in Selkirk is Halliwell's House, wherein is a small museum and art gallery, located just off the Market Square. Nearby is Selkirk Glass where visitors can watch glass-blowers making intricate paperweights etc - a thriving craft industry. Robert D Clapperton Photographic is a working museum and photographic archive.
As with many other Border towns, Selkirk has its Common Riding Ceremony, held annually in June, when over 500 riders regularly set out to patrol the marches or boundaries of the town lands. Selkirk's particular ceremony also commemorates the darkest day in the town's history. In 1513, Selkirk sent 80 of its bravest men to fight alongside James IV at Flodden Field, taking with them the town standard. The superior English army slaughtered the Scottish troops, almost to a man, including King James himself. One survivor alone of the 80 returned to Selkirk, trailing a bloodstained English flag. A memorial to the fallen can be seen outside the Victoria Halls in the High Street.
Just to the west of Selkirk is Bowhill House, the Borders home of the Duke of Queensbury and Buceleuch. A fine Georgian mansion, it houses an outstanding collection of French antiques and European paintings, including works by Reynolds, Gainsborough and Canaletto, Boulle furniture and Meissen tableware. The wooded hills of Bowhill Country Park adjoins the house as does Bowhill Little Theatre, which presents many professional plays.