Peebles
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Template:GBdot Peebles is a burgh in the traditional county of Peeblesshire (of which is it the county town), 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. Other local attractions include a museum and the Kailzie Gardens.
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. The church was destroyed (along with many other Borders Abbeys and Priories) by the soldiers of Henry VIII. The stones of the ruins were robbed 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 which was 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 local primary schools on the basis of academic excellence) 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.
John Buchan practised law in Peebles for some time, and his house (opposite the 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 Halyrood school. Peebles also has a large secondary school, Peebles High School, which is attended by pupils from all over Peeblesshire.
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