Peebles, Area Highlight

Settlement in the area dates back thousands of years. This is demonstrated by the hill forts in the area, and the remains of a Roman fort at the Lyne and a nearby Roman road. After the Romans’ brief occupation, this area of Tweed Valley was part of the Kingdom of Strathclyde, eventually becoming part of Scotland under Malcolm II in 1016. A castle was built in the 1100s on Castle Hill, a site at the West end of the High Street (today occupied by the Old Parish Church). It was protected by a wooden bridge across the River Tweed. In 1152 Peebles was made a royal burgh by King David I of Scotland. The burgh’s importance was cemented when King William “the Lion” of Scotland confirmed that the two chief courts of justice were to be held annually in either Edinburgh or Peebles. Peebles’ first stronghold was lost when the castle on Castle Hill sadly burned down however its replacement Neidpath Castle was more enduring. Situated overlooking the Tweed a mile to the west of Peebles it has origins as far back as 1370. The castle was purchased by the Earl of Wemyss in 1810, the family still occupy the property today. Throughout the centuries the monarchy have been welcomed visitors to Peebles.

As a firm Blackwood & Smith also have a long history of serving the people of Peebles and the surrounding areas. Blackwood & Smith was founded in 1843 and they have been located at their current High Street address since 1878.

The town’s charming riverside setting has enticed many artists and writers over the years. Arguably the most famous of them is John Buchan. One of the most renowned Scottish authors of modern times, Buchan is best known for his thriller, ‘The Thirty Nine Steps’. Buchan who practiced as a local solicitor went on to have a long political career, rising to serve as Governor General of Canada. The story of John Buchan is told at the John Buchan Story on Peebles High Street. Peebles was also home to William Chambers, author of the original Chambers dictionary. William Chambers went on to co-found the Edinburgh publishing firm W & R Chambers who acquired a global reputation for its educational books, periodicals, dictionaries and encyclopedias. On the south side of the high street in a quaint courtyard setting you will find the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery, part of the Chambers Institution. The building and grounds were remodelled by Chambers as facilities for the provision of social improvement of the town. The Scottish baronial style building with a stucco finish was designed by John Paris and opened in 1859.

The town’s standing as a regional market town brought prosperity to the area which helped create the attractive architecture which is still evident along the high street today. Peebles is the third largest town in the Borders, it is a charming and lively town whose centre lies in its main shopping street. The Mercat Cross (a historic symbol, granted by a monarch, bishop or baron, of the trading rites of town or village to hold a regular market or fair) proudly stands where the High Street and Eastgate meet. In its current location since 1965 its origins date back all the way to 1660. Another historic building is the Tontine Hotel. Set back from the road on the south side of High Street behind a cobbled courtyard, the Tontine Hotel dates back to 1808. The name of the hotel reflects the original method by which it was funded.

The town’s market heritage is not just a thing of the past; the town has been recognised as the ‘Top Independent Retailing Town in Scotland’. Peebles has a wealth of independent shops as well as a handful of high-street supermarkets, banks, and a post office. The town is home to numerous top-quality restaurants, bars and cafés and is considered a cultural hub, with the distinguished Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre hosting a wide range of events throughout the year. There are also several annual festivals held in the town, including the Arts Festival, Tweed Valley Forest Festival, Tweed Love and the renowned Beltane festival. The Beltane festival, a week long event, has been celebrated in its current form since 1897 (though its roots stretch much further back in time than this). ‘Beltane’ marks the Celtic festival which celebrates the coming of summer. King James I applauded Peebles and the excitement of the Beltane Fair day in his poem ‘Peebles to the Play’ written in the 1430s.

During the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, ‘the Riding of the Marches’ was reintroduced. On this occasion a huge procession lined the town, including: 72 horses; the town band; Peebles Cycling Club; and even the Fire Brigade attended with their new engine! Maggie Muir, the first Beltane Queen, was crowned in 1899. Today the organisers still strive to uphold the festival’s ancient traditions. The modern Beltane festival includes: sports, a fancy dress parade, the installation of the Cornet, Riding of the Marches, the crowning of the Beltane Queen, the Beating of the Retreat, and still includes the horseback procession along the high street!

Peebles promises a perfect base from which to enjoy all the countryside has to offer – from scenic riverside and parkland walks to horse riding and cycling. There is also an 18-hole golf course within the town, as well as a leisure centre and a swimming pool. For those with children, Peebles’ catchment area encompasses some highly-regarded schooling, from nursery to secondary level. Peebles is also a popular Scottish Borders retreat for commuters, located just over 20 miles from Edinburgh city centre and within easy commuting distance from the city bypass, airport and motorway network.

Peebles retains its rich history whilst also providing much to do for local modern inhabitants and visitors.

At Beltane in the aulden time, it was the custom gay,
To gather on the village green and hail the festal day,
Huntsman gallant and sheperds grey, dought and blythsome men,
And Lassies blooming fresh and fair cam liltin’ doon the glen,
Through the greenwood haste away,… Sing aloud the festal lay,
Busk the the Beltane banner gay, to Peblis and the play.
Auld Neidpath, grim and grey wi’ years, looks doon wi war-scarred face,
And sentinels our royal toun wi’ majesty and grace,
Loyal sons of a fearless race, gather we here today,
And sing the auld-warld round-e-lay of ‘Peblis to the Play’,
Wave the Beltane banner high, Ring the anthem to the sky,
While our silver stream rolls by, The Tweeddale glen for aye.
Across the wild foam-crested wave, in distant lands of fame,
The exile oft wi’ pride recalls the dear auld Border hame,
And while we crown our Beltane queen, ‘mid flaming skies of June,
We pledge the leal hearts far a-wa and lilt our festal tune,
Honour is our watchword clear, Truth our dauntless halberdier,
Liberty’s our heralds cheer, Long live our Beltane Queen.

The Beltane Song