LONG-LOST letters found in a Galashiels lawyer’s office provide a remarkable insight into life in the Borders during the early 19th century.

Dust-covered books of correspondence from lawyer George Craig were found at the back of cupboards at Iain Smith and Partners back in 2015.

Amazingly, four further collections of letters were uncovered in another cupboard at the Bank Close premises four years later.

Now this treasure trove has been utilised by John Finlay, professor of Scots Law at Glasgow University, as the basis for a biography of Mr Craig that he plans to publish next year.

During lockdown Mr Finlay worked his way through approximately 3,000 pieces of correspondence.

The contents included letters to people from all walks of life, from weavers and farmers to lairds and even slave owners.

In addition to being a lawyer working in the Borders, Craig was also a banker and insurance agent, with one of his clients being celebrated Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott.

The letters are of great historical importance due to the information and insight they provide on the era 1820 to 1840.

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Topics covered include sheep farming and emigration from the Borders to New South Wales and the Americas.

Professor Finlay said: “Some of his major clients, for whom he acted as a land agent, lived at a distance and that means the correspondence is particularly regular and detailed.

“This includes individuals such as George Fairholme of Greenknowe, John Scott of Gala, and Professor Alexander Monro of Craiglockhart and Cockburn.

“Since he was also a bank agent, Craig’s letters have a very strong slant towards banking matters. While lots of law agents were also bank agents, this is the only set of letter books I have seen from someone who operated in both capacities. This means there is a lot of information about local fairs and the day-to-day routine of local banking.”

Prof Finlay has donated the letters to the Borders Archive Centre in Hawick.

He will also be presenting a paper on his research to members of the Old Gala Club in January.

To find out more go to the Glasgow University web page featuring ‘George Craig of Gala’. It can be found at www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/research/themes/legalhistoryatglasgow/georgecraigofgala/