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Selkirk is a historic hill town overlooking the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys, known for its textile heritage and strong local community. The town centre retains a traditional High Street with independent shops, cafés and everyday services, supported by a leisure centre, library and other community facilities. Schooling and sports clubs make it a practical base for families, while the surrounding countryside offers easy access to walking, cycling and riding. Its position close to Galashiels and main Borders routes means Selkirk also works well for those who commute or travel regularly.
Rugged landscapes and big skies — the Southern Upland Way and Sir Walter Scott Way pass close by.
Whether you’re looking for more information on schools, places to visit, or more about the surrounding villages, use the boxes below to find out more about the Selkirk area.
A well-served area offering reliable everyday facilities, schools and community services.
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Selkirk provides a reliable mix of everyday facilities including supermarkets, convenience shops, pharmacies and a well-used library. The town is served by the Selkirk Health Centre and several community venues that support local groups, classes and social events throughout the year. The historic High Street offers traditional services alongside cafés and independent shops.
Education is supported through Selkirk High School and the town’s primary provision. The Selkirk Leisure Centre offers a 25-metre swimming pool, sauna, gym and fitness studio, with additional bookings available for the adjacent Victoria campsite and sports spaces. Selkirk benefits from a strong sporting culture, with rugby, cricket and golf clubs, as well as access to 2G and 3G pitches across Live Borders facilities.
Selkirk is surrounded by excellent outdoor access, with walking, cycling and riding routes throughout the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys. Bowhill House and Grounds provide extensive parkland, woodland paths and an adventure playground, while local initiatives such as the Mauldsheugh Wood project enhance the town’s community-focused greenspace. Parks and riverside paths offer easy links from the town centre into the countryside.
A mix of historic sites, outdoor spaces and local activities to enjoy year-round.
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Selkirk combines rich Borders heritage with easy access to woodland walks, valley landscapes and cultural attractions. The town centre has a traditional high street with independent shops, cafés and long-established services, while the surrounding hills and valleys give Selkirk a distinctive, elevated character. Historic sites include Halliwell’s House Museum, one of the town’s oldest surviving buildings, and Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom, which offers insight into the area’s legal and literary history. Bowhill House and Grounds provide extensive parkland, forest trails and a popular adventure playground, making it a key destination for families and visitors. Selkirk’s location between the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys gives direct access to scenic walks, cycling routes and riverside paths. Throughout the year, the town hosts cultural events and is strongly connected to Border traditions, including its part in the Common Ridings, which remain an important feature of community life.
Practical road and public transport links connecting the town to neighbouring areas.
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Selkirk is supported by a network of nearby villages including Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk, Midlem and Ettrickbridge. These communities offer a mix of local facilities, pubs, village halls and access to woodland walks and open countryside, with each providing a quieter setting within easy reach of the town.
Selkirk has straightforward routes to Galashiels, Hawick and the A7 for travel north to Edinburgh and south towards Carlisle. Regular bus services pass through the town, linking it with neighbouring Borders communities, and the nearest railway stations at Galashiels and Tweedbank offer direct connections to Edinburgh.
