Published: Tuesday, 26th May, 2009 12:34pm

Gala lost on Lonely Planet

by Ally McGilvray

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TOURISM chiefs have reacted angrily after one of the biggest towns in the Borders was wiped off the map.

Galashiels has been omitted from the latest edition of backpackers bible the Lonely Planet which was published this week - just as the summer season gets underway.

The travel guide includes Selkirk, Melrose, Peebles, Kelso and Jedburgh among the best holiday destinations in Great Britain.

However, there is no information on what the town, regarded by many as the capital of the Borders, has to offer.

Lonely Planet Publications spokeswoman Heather Carswell told the Border Telegraph: 'We include places within the guide that we feel have something to offer a traveller. If we have omitted a destination it is because we feel it doesn"t have enough strong drawcards.'

But she added: 'Authors update the Great Britain guidebook every two years so they will be back soon to research for the next edition and, if they feel that Galashiels has something more to offer, it may be included in the next book.'

Lonely Planet is the most successful independent travel publisher, with annual sales of more than six million guidebooks, including 500 different titles in eight languages, and is respected by travellers around the world.

It is compiled by independent authors who visit every destination and are famed for giving brutally honest reviews - including controversial comments criticising some of the worst holiday destinations in the country.

VisitScotland regional director Sandi Hellowell said: 'It is disappointing Galashiels has been omitted from the Lonely Planet guide. The rich diversity of heritage and history the town is famed for combined with its ideal location as a base to explore the rest of the Scottish Borders will be sorely missed by potential visitors using the guide.'

The guide describes Melrose as the 'most charming and picturesque of the Borders towns', although it goes on to point out its 'B&Bs and hotels aren"t cheap by Scottish standards'.

Selkirk is described as a 'peaceful place', Peebles is described as 'smug' and, referring to Kelso, the author writes: 'Sir Walter Scott described it as 'the most beautiful, if not the most romantic town in Scotland", though today this seems a bit of an overstatement.'

However, there is also no mention of Hawick.

Local Councillor Sandy Aitchison, who has campaigned for a staffed tourist office in the town to promote the area during the Year of Homecoming, an events programme celebrating Scotland"s great contributions to the world, said: 'This is very disappointing.'

At a meeting of Scottish Borders Council last week it emerged long-awaited plans to improve an information stand for visitors at the town"s library has been delayed - until after the summer holidays.

It had been proposed to move an exhibition from what had been described as a cupboard under the stairs to the manned council contact centre across the road in Galashiels after the facility was branded an embarrassment.

But work to refurbish the Paton Street office has since been delayed and it won"t now open before the end of August.

Councillor Aitchison, who revealed tourism is big business for the Borders, said: 'Galashiels is sadly let down by a lack of tourist information and we need something to point visitors in the right direction.'

He added: 'All roads in the Borders lead to Gala and it is well worth a visit.'

Here is Councillor Aitchison"s top three reasons for backpackers to visit Galashiels: 1. The Braw Lads Gathering. 2. Abbotsford House. 3. And Bank Street Gardens.