55°39N 3°12W, pop (2000e) 7500. Town in Scottish Borders, SEC Scotland, UK; on R Tweed, 33 km/20 mi S of Edinburgh; textiles, tourism; Tweeddale museum; mediaeval Neidpath Castle nearby; 13 km/8 mi SE, Traquair House (oldest inhabited house in Scotland); birthplace of William and Robert Chambers.
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 compostion 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.
Location
Peebles lies at the confluence of the River Tweed and Eddleston Water (locally called the Cuddy). 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. 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. 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.
Historic features and traditions
The oldest building in Peebles is the tower of St Andrew's Church.
The annual local festival in Peebles is called the Beltane, and involves (as with many Borders festivals) a Common Riding. 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 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.
John Buchan practised law in Peebles for some time, and his house (opposite the old Sheriff Court) bears a commemorative plaque.
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.
Facilities
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.
Peebles Hydro
The long established Peebles Hydro Hotel stands in a secluded position off Innerleithen Road, Peebles.
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