Peeblesshire
Peeblesshire (or Tweeddale), an inland county in the SE. of Scotland, bounded N. and NE. by Edinburghshire, E. and SE. by Selkirkshire, S. by Dumfriesshire, and W. by Lanarkshire; greatest length, N. and S., 29 miles; greatest breadth, B. and W., 21 miles; area, 226,890 acres, population 13,822. From the narrow central valley of the Tweed the surface rises into hills and mountains, with fertile valleys or deep gorges between the ridges. The hills for the most part are grassy and softly rounded. The highest summit is Broad Law, 2723 ft., near the S. border. The streams in the glens and valleys afford good angling. Blue clay slate has been extensively worked, limestone is abundant, and coal is mined to some extent in the N. of the county. Sheep-farming is the main industry. The woollen manufacture is carried on at Peebles, Innerleithen, and Walkerburn. The county comprises 12 parsishes, with parts of 4 others.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
John Buchan Story
The Chambers Institution, High Street
Peebles EH45 8AG
www.johnbuchanstory.co.uk
John Buchan is a national figure within both a Scottish and UK context. Through his prolific writing and by his many and varied contributions to public life, he was a highly influential figure, particularly during the inter-war period.
Robert Smail’s Printing Works
7/9 High Street
Innerleithen EH44 6HA
0844 4932259
A unique example of our industrial heritage in the form of a fully operational Victorian letterpress printing works in the Borders town of Innerleithen. See printing as it was at the turn of the last century. Records of the Smail’s time as a shipping agent in the town. An archive of business records dating from the start of the printing business in 1866 until 1986.
St Ronan’s Wells Interpretation Centre
c/o Chambers Institute, High Street
Peebles EH45 8AP
01721 724820
St Ronan’s Wells is an historic spa, built in 1828, which houses displays telling the story of the site and its links with the great Scottish writers Walter Scott and James Hogg, the legend of St Ronan and the history of Innerleithen.
Traquair House
Innerleithen EH44 6PW
01896 830323
www.traquair.co.uk
Dating back to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland. Later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror – the Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite cause without counting the cost. Today, Traquair is a unique piece of living history welcoming visitors from all over the world.
Tweeddale Museum & Gallery
c/o Chambers Institute, High Street
Peebles EH45 8AJ
01721 724820
Tweeddale Museum was established by William Chambers, the founder of the famous publishing house. His aim was to create a centre of learning in his home town. It houses a museum and gallery which present a lively programme of exhibitions throughout the year. The Chambers Room houses the extraordinary plasterwork friezes commissioned by William Chambers and exhibitions on the history of Peebles and the surrounding area.