Border Telegraph | News | Hidden attractions

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 2nd May, 2007 15:26

Hidden attractions

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

Print Article

Guide's visitor information is off the beaten track

A NEW guide to Scotland’s hidden gems has left travel weary tourists stumped in the Borders.

Although the idea behind the travel tome is to reveal the country’s secret locations – not even a holidaying Sherlock Homes would be able to find Galashiels’ leading attraction.

And he could face a charge of breaking and entering to partake in Selkirk’s leading activity day.

While The Hidden Places of Scotland, published on Monday, gives a nice introduction to the region’s largest town, it goes on to advise visitors to hunt down Lochcarron Cashmere and Wool Centre.

The guide, which is priced at £11.99, even gives directions down Huddersfield Street where the inquisitive day-tripper will find tours around the mill, a museum, a shop and a working Leffel waterwheel.

Travel Publishing advises its readers: “This is the 6th edition of The Hidden Places of Scotland and it has been fully updated.”

Yeah, right.

And the firm’s website, which receives 160,000 hits per day, is also recommending Lochcarron to anyone wandering by Galashiels.

Alwyn Johnston, tour guide at Lochcarron, told us: “No, we definitely moved to Selkirk last summer and, yes, we’re definitely still here in Selkirk. I think they are a wee bit out of date.”

Thankfully for the travellers’ companion the Eildon Hills and the Abbey are still at Melrose and Thirlestane Castle hasn’t budged from Lauder.

But guess what secret attraction they have recommended for Selkirk? Yes, Selkirk Glass. Oh dear.

“At the Selkirk Glass Visitor Centre at Dunsdalehaugh you can see glass paperweights being made.”

No, you can’t. It’s been shut down since last year.

At least for Selkirk the guide has also listed Halliwell’s House and the Philiphaugh Salmon Viewing Centre as nearby alternatives to a day of blowing glass.

But for poor Galashiels, we’ve had to come up with a few recommendations of our own – with lots of help from Sheila Campbell, customer services manager at VisitScotland Borders.

The Border Telegraph’s Hidden Places of Galashiels:

“Galashiels has an impressive history which attracts many visitors and the imposing war memorial with its massive Border Reiver horseman is a wonderful site.

“Visitors who are interested in history, or simply want to learn more about Galashiels, can also enjoy a trip to Old Gala House and the Scott Gallery which is the former home of the lairds of Galashiels.

“The house has an interpretive centre with displays and changing exhibitions as well as a fantastic garden, the Borders family history society and a coffee shop.

“For families, Scotia Kids is a terrific attraction with its giant adventure playground with tube slides, ball pools, and web climbs. There are also the local swimming pool and the Pavillion Cinema.

“For those into activities, Galashiels has the Tweedbank Sports Centre, excellent access to fishing and two 18-hole golf courses, both of which have stunning views across the surrounding countryside. Many golfers visit these courses using Scotland’s best selling pass ‘Freedom of the Fairways’.

“For the shopaholic Galashiels has some great shops for visitors to buy momentos of their time in the area. And as the weather continues to improve Bank Street Gardens are really popular for picnics and relaxing.

“Galashiels has various things to see and do before you can head over to Selkirk to visit Lochcarron.”

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