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For other things named "Peebles", see Peebles (disambiguation)

Map sources for Peebles at grid reference NT2540

Peebles 55°39′N, 3°11′W (Gaelic: Na Pùballan) is a burgh in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, lying on the River Tweed.

Initially a market town, Peebles played a role in the woollen industry of the Scottish Borders up until the 1960s. Although one woollen mill remains operational in the town, the industrial compositions of Peebles has changed and Peebles is now home to many people who commute to work in Edinburgh as well as being a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer. Notable buildings in the town include Peebles Old Parish Church and Neidpath Castle. Other local attractions include a museum and the Kailzie Gardens.

Contents 1 Location 2 Historic features and traditions 3 Facilities 4 Peebles Hydro 5 External links

Peebles lies at the confluence of the River Tweed and Eddleston Water (locally called the Cuddy). The Tweed is flowing approximately west to east, and the Eddleston is flowing from the north; 300m before the confluence the Eddleston turns to flow south-west. This south westerly turn creates (or was caused by) a raised triangular piece of land, open to the east but contained by the rivers to the south and north. At the west apex of the triangle is the parish church, and from the church to the east the spine of this ridge runs Peebles High Street. In historic times Peebles had a town wall protecting it on the sides not protected by the rivers. This wall ran in an east facing arc closing the triangle to the east. The only remains of the wall are to the north and south ends of the car park (Station car park) where the modern market is held. The road running from Peebles to the east, passed through the wall at the East Gate, which gives the section of road at the east end of the High Street its name - Eastgate. At the point where the High Street become Eastgate is the ancient market cross. Running north from the cross the road is called Northgate for similar reasons. Peebles had two further gates, Bridgegate (where the Eddleston Water was crossed to the north of town) and Ludgate (the western gate of the town) which is now called Young Street.

The oldest building in Peebles is the tower of St Andrew's Church. The church was founded in 1195. It was destroyed (along with many other Borders Abbeys and Priories) 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 (as with many Borders festivals) a Common Riding. The Beltane culminates with the crowning of the Beltane Queen (a girl chosen from one of three local primary schools) 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 open to the public.

On the south side of the High Street are the old burgh offices. These incorporate the town library, art gallery and local museum. The building occupied by these are called the Chambers Institute, 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.

John Buchan practised law in Peebles for some time, and his house (opposite the old Sheriff Court) bears a commemorative plaque.

Mungo Park is likewise commemorated, at a house on the north of the Cuddy, where he practised medicine for some years.

A person born in Peebles is called a gutterbluid, although few people can now claim that distinction as Peebles no longer has a hospital, so many babies are born in Edinburgh or Borders General Hospital at Melrose.

Peebles has three primary schools, the state Kingsland and Priorsford schools and the Catholic Halyrude Primary school. Peebles also has a large secondary school, 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 (second best in the UK, after Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire) for range of independent shops and 'home town identity' ^[1].

The long established Peebles Hydro Hotel stands in a secluded position off Innerleithen Road, Peebles. It was built as a resort spa, and while it still provides these facilities it is now more focussed on providing more general facilities to holidaymakers in the Borders.

• Royal Burgh of Peebles
• Peebles Hotel Hydro
• A History of Peeblesshire by William Chambers, from Google Books.

	River Tweed, UK	edit
Administrative areas: Scottish Borders, Scotland | Northumberland, England | Flows into: North Sea Towns (upstream to downstream): Peebles | Galashiels | Melrose | St. Boswells | Kelso | Coldstream | Berwick-upon-Tweed Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence): Cor Water | Talla Water | Holms Water | Lyne Water Manor Water | Quair Water | Leithen Water | Caddon Water | River Ettrick | Gala Water | River Leader | River Teviot River Till | Whiteadder Water Major bridges (upstream to downstream): Leaderfoot Viaduct | Dryburgh Bridge | Mertoun Bridge | Rennie Bridge Hunter Bridge | Coldstream Bridge | Ladykirk and Norham Bridge | Union Bridge | A1 bridge, River Tweed Royal Border Bridge | Royal Tweed Bridge | Berwick Bridge
Longest UK rivers: 1. Severn 2. Thames 3. Trent 4. Aire 5. Great Ouse 6. Wye 7. Tay 8. Spey 9. Nene 10. Clyde 11. Tweed 12. Eden