Peebles is a royal burgh in Tweeddale, within the Scottish Borders region. According to
the 2001 Census, the population was 8,159. The local brewery is Broughton Ales which
you find their cask, bottle and keg beers available throughout the town. Broughton Ales
produces many popular beers, including "Old Jock Ale, Dark Dunter, 6.2 I.P.A., Proper
I.P.A., Greenmantle Ale, Hopopotamus, Merlin, Black Douglas, Scottish Oatmeal Stout and
Greenmantle".
History Initially a market town, Peebles played a
role in the woollen industry of the Borders up until the 1960s. Although one woollen mill
remains operational in the town, the industrial composition of Peebles has changed; the town
is now home to many people who commute to work in Edinburgh, as well as being a popular
tourist destination, especially in the summer. In the mid-to-late 19th century, this included
health tourism, centring around hydropathic establishments, which over time morphed into
a hotel format, with Peebles Hydro Hotel being one of the few survivors of that era. Notable
buildings in the town include the Old Parish Church of Peebles and Neidpath Castle. Other
local attractions include a museum and the Kailzie Gardens. Peebles has the highest shoe
shop to population ratio in the UK. It has won multiple awards for an excellent range
of shops on its High Street.
Location Peebles lies at the confluence of the River
Tweed and Eddleston Water. The Tweed flows west to east, and the Eddleston flows from
the north, turning to flow south-west 300 yards before the confluence. This south-westerly
turn demarcates a raised triangular piece of land, open to the east but contained by
the rivers to the south and north. The name is generally accepted to come from the Brythonic
pebyll tents, signifying a temporary settlement. The eastern side was defended in historic
times by a town wall, which ran in an east facing arc, through which the road to Glentress
passed at the East Gate. The road passing through this gate, the Eastgate, is one of
four gates in Peebles, the others being Northgate, Bridgegate, and Ludgate, now called Young
Street. At the junction of Eastgate and Northgate
roads, where the Eastgate becomes High Street, is an ancient market cross. The present-day
market is held in the station car park, to the north and south ends of which are the
remains of the town wall. Peebles High Street runs parallel with the Tweed along the spine
of a ridge, at the west end of which is the parish church.
Historic features and traditions
The oldest building in Peebles is the tower of St Andrew's Church. The church was founded
in 1195. It was destroyed by the soldiers of Henry VIII. The stones of the ruins were
pilfered for many other local buildings leaving only the tower standing amongst the gravestone
of the churchyard. Another ancient church in the town is the Cross Kirk, founded in
1261. Although now mainly ruins, the Cross Kirk plays a prominent part in the local festival.
The annual local festival in Peebles is called the Beltane, and involves a Common Riding.
The Beltane, proclaimed at the cross, culminates with the crowning of the Beltane Queen along
with her court, including the likes of the First and Second Courtiers, Sword Bearer and
Standard Bearer; on the steps in front of the parish church. The adult principal of
the festival is the Cornet, a local young man chosen by the organising committee on
a basis of being considered worthy of representing the town, who then carries the town standard
for a year. To the west of the town is Neidpath Castle,
which can be reached on foot through Hay Lodge Park, the route offering spectacular views
of the castle. The castle is now closed to the public.
On the south side of High Street are the old burgh offices. These incorporate the town's
library, art gallery and local museum. The building occupied by these are called the
Chambers Institution, being deeded to the town by William Chambers, a member of the
Chambers publishing family who originated in the town. Chambers' house can be found
on the oldest street in Peebles - Biggiesknowe. Peebles is no longer connected to the railway
network. In years past, the Symington, Biggar and Broughton Railway had lines that connected
Peebles to Edinburgh and Galashiels.
Peebles' coat of arms
The coat of arms of the Burgh of Peebles can be seen in several places in the area. It
is described as Gules, three salmons counternaiant proper. The motto is Contra Nando Incrementum,
Latin for "There is increase by swimming against the stream", referring to the annual migration
of salmon up the River Tweed. The arms is very old, and can be traced to
a seal that appears on an impression of 1473. It is very similar to that of Ångermanland,
a historic province of Sweden. The choice of red for the field instead of the traditional
blue is unclear. It was matriculated by the Lord Lyon in 1894 after a petition by the
Town Clerk, William Buchan, who had received a letter from A. C. Fox-Davies, author of
The Book of Public Arms, questioning the right to use it.
Notable people Traditionally, a person born in Peebles was
called a gutterbluid, although few people can now claim that distinction as Peebles
no longer has a hospital. Most babies are born in Edinburgh or Borders General Hospital
at Melrose. Eric Bogle, folk musician resident in Australia,
born in Peebles Scott Brash, olympic gold medallist
John Buchan, author, practised law in Peebles, and his house bears a commemorative plaque
Robert Chambers, publisher and author of Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation
John Mathison, New Zealand MP born in Peebles Mungo Park, practised medicine, and his house
on the north of the Cuddy bears a commemorative plaque
Callum James Greens music producer, raised in Peebles from birth and attended both Priorsford
Primary School and Peebles High School Kevin Thomson footballer currently playing
for Hibernian FC, grew up in Peebles Facilities
In 2014 Creative Scotland named Peebles the most creative place of its size in Scotland,
presenting the town with a Creative Place Award and £100,000 to enhance arts events,
festivals, and arts commissions. Most arts performances take place in the Eastgate Theatre
on the High Street which has a year round programme of music, drama, dance, talks and
classes for children and adults. The town also has four major annual festivals - the
Beltane Festival, Peebles Arts Festival, Tweedlove Bike Festival and Imaginarium.
Just south of the town Glentress Forest is the base for some of the best mountain biking
in the country, attracting over 300,000 visitors a year. For walkers the John Buchan Way starts
at the west side of the town. Many make full use of the huge variety of hotels, guest houses
and campsites in and around the town. Peebles has three primary schools, the state
Kingsland and Priorsford Schools and the Roman Catholic Halyrude Primary School, and the
largest secondary school in the Borders, Peebles High School, which is attended by pupils from
all over Tweeddale. In 2005, a study by the New Economics Foundation
ranked Peebles as the best town in Scotland, for range of independent shops and 'home town
identity'. Twin town
Hendaye, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France References
Further reading Chambers, William. A History of Peeblesshire.
Edinburgh & London: William and Robert Chambers. Retrieved 6 December 2009. Full text at
Google Books. Joe Brown and Iain Lawson, History of Peebles:
1850-1990 1990. External links
Peebles%20website Official website The Royal Burgh town of Peebles website
Peebles Community Radio History of Peebles: 1850-1990
Peebles Life - Community Magazine