Galashiels – United Kingdom

 

About Galashiels

There are about 12,600 people who call the town of Galashiels (/aelilz/; Scots: Gallae, Scottish Gaelic: An Geal th) home. It is commonly referred to as “Gala” due to its short name.  Due to its long history in the textile industry, the city has become a major economic hub for the surrounding Borders region. The School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University is based in Galashiels.

Retailers like Asda, Boots, Halfords, M&S, Matalan, McD’s, Next, Subway, and Tesco Extra opened in the early 2000s despite the town’s low population. Many of them are located in buildings that were once mills or factories, while others have been built on the sites of abandoned mills.

In the middle of High Street, Botany Lane, and Roxburgh Street, surrounded by mills and shops, stands the Glasite church, which is in risk of being lost.

The football and rugby venues for Gala RFC and Gala Fairydean Rovers are located next to each other in Netherdale. Peter Womersley, a local architect from Gattonside, was commissioned to create the stadium for the football team in 1963. Designed in the Brutalist style, the cantilevered concrete building is currently a Category A listed building, affording it special protection.

The town’s former bus terminal has been replaced by the newer, more convenient Interchange facility, which is conveniently located near to the train station.

Hotels in Galashiels

1. Kingsknowes Hotel

Address: Selkirk Rd, Galashiels TD1 3HY, United Kingdom

2. Salmon Inn

Address: 54 Bank St, Galashiels TD1 1EP, United Kingdom

3. Monorene

Address: 23 Stirling St, Galashiels TD1 1BY, United Kingdom

4. Watson Lodge Guest House

Address: 15-16 Bridge St, Galashiels TD1 1SW, United Kingdom

5. Clovenfords Hotel

Address: 1 Vine St, Clovenfords, Galashiels TD1 3LU, United Kingdom

University in Galashiels

1. Borders College

Address: Main Campus, Unit 1 Nether Rd, Galashiels TD1 3HE, United Kingdom