Selkirk

About Selkirk

Selkirk is one of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland and also one of the earliest settlements in what is now the Scottish Borders. It was here that the first Borders Abbey was founded by a community of Monks who then moved to Kelso Abbey during the reign of King David I.
Similar to the other large towns in the Borders, Selkirk grew because of its wool industry and experienced a boom in production in the early 19th century and a subsequent rise in population.

It is also home to Scotland's oldest horse racing track, the Gala Rig, on the outskirts of the town. Fitting with this the Selkirk Common Riding is a celebration of the history and traditions of the Royal and Ancient Burgh and one of the biggest of these types of Festivals in the borders with 300-400 riders each year.