Selkirk

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The Royal Burgh of Selkirk is a town in the Scottish Borders. It lies on the River Ettrick, a tributary of the River Tweed, famous for its salmon fishing. The population at the time of the 2001 census was 5,839.

It may not be the largest burgh in the Scottish Borders, but it possesses a great amount of history, tradition and spirit. It was formerly the county town of Selkirkshire.

The people of the town, "Souters", named after the town's traditional shoe cobblers, are proud followers of all things Borders, from their Common Riding and rugby.

Selkirk's ancient past is one which encompasses many aspects of Scottish history, from being the site of the first Border abbey to where William Wallace, was declared Guardian of Scotland. The names of Bonnie Prince Charlie, The Marquess of Montrose and the Outlaw Murray have all contributed to create the town's unique historical tapestry.

Founded in the 6th century, the settlement was named Seleschirche, meaning "Kirk in the Forest." In 1113 King David I granted Selkirk large amounts of land, referring to Selkirk as "mine old town"

The town grew on woollen industry, although now it is perhaps best known for its glass manufacturing and bannocks. It has a museum and art gallery, and is associated with Mungo Park and Walter Scott.

In common with other Border towns, Selkirk town has an annual Common Riding, always held on the second Friday after the first Monday in June, at which the following Scots song can be heard:

Up wi the Souters o' Selkirk

It's up wi' the Souters o' Selkirk,

An doun wi' the Earl o' Hume,

An here's tae a' the braw laddies

That weirs the single-soled shuin.

It's up wi' the Souters o' Selkirk,

For they are baith trusty an' leal,

An up wi' the lads o' the Forest,

An doun wi' the Merse tae the deil.

Souters are entitled to wear the town colours of "True Blue and Scarlett" on Common Riding day, as well as the colours chosen by the Standard Bearer, which change annually and can be worn by anyone.

O' Floddenfield!

Selkirk men fought with William Wallace at Stirling Brig and Falkirk, and also with Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn, but it is Selkirk's connection with The Battle of Flodden (1513), her ready response to the call of the King, the brave bearing of her representatives on the fatal field, and the tragic return of the sole survivor, provide the Royal Burgh with its proudest memories.

The annual Common Riding commemorates Selkirk's main link with a turbulent past every June, Up to 500 riders saddle their horses at daybreak to commemorate the age-old custom of riding the Burgh Marches, the land of the town. The Casting of the Colours remembers the story of when over eighty men from the town marched to Flodden Field with their king, James IV.

Only one returned, "Fletcher", bearing a blood-stained English flag, belonging to the Macclesfield regiment. On his return he cast the captured English standard around his head to describe that all others had perished in battle.

Sir Walter Scott and Selkirk

Selkirk's past also includes the legendary Sir Walter Scott, and this is one connection that the town has put to great use.

'Scott's Selkirk' transforms the town into a bustling Georgian Christmas market town, when all of the shops, pubs, restaurants and locals take on the atmosphere and appearance of the days of Scott.

With holly adorning shops and buildings, locals dressed in period costumes and horse and carriages travelling up and down, it is a special event worth taking in.

The two-day winter festival also features street theatre and historical re-enactments from professional actors, stalls selling many local festive goods, musical performances and children's shows.

The Selkirk Grace

The Selkirk Grace, is a grace (prayer said before a meal) attributed to Robert Burns:

Today it is mainly used on special occasions, such as Burns' Night.

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it,

But we hae meat and we can eat,

Sae the Lord be thankit.

William Wallace

"See approach proud Edwards power, Chains and slavery!"

The words of Robert Burns conjure up a vivid picture of the troubled times in which the forefathers of the Borderland lived at the end of the thirteenth century.

After the death of Alexander III the hopes of the people of Scotland rested with the Maid of Norway. Her untimely death in 1290 left the country at the mercy of the English King. From that date until the crown was awarded to John Balliol, King Edward prosecuted remorselessly his schemes against the independence of Scotland.

The Scottish King, as a vassal in respect of his lands in England, paid homage to Edward and, in return, suffered many humiliations at the hands of his overlords. Scottish nobles and gentry, many from the Borderland, were compelled to swear allegiance to the "proud usurper."

However, this reign of tyranny and oppression was destined to be overthrown by one of humble birth. From the West of Scotland came William Wallace, a Scots knight who led his countrymen in resistance to English domination.

No part of Scottish Borderland, perhaps, is more definitely associated with Wallace than the Forest of Ettrick. It was in Selkirk, supported by nobles and clergy, he was declared Guardian of the Kingdom of Scotland.

Today in the 'forest kyrk' (the Kirk of the Forest), referred to in ancient times as the church of St Mary of the Forest, visitors can now visit this ancient site, which is also the final resting place to several relatives of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States of America. Roosevelt, whose ancestors came from the area, named his famous dog Fala, after the nearby village of Falahill.

The Hungarian Connection

Annually, In March, Hungarians from across Scotland gather in the town's County Hotel for their national day celebrations. It was from the balcony of The County in December 1856, that Hungary's great patriot Lajos Kossuth addressed a large massed meeting of Borders sympathisers. It was part of a grand tour of the UK in which Kossuth raised awareness and funds for his subjugated Magyar people. Eight years earlier, he had led a Magyar revolution against the tyranny of Hapsburg rule. A plaque now stands outside The County Hotel, commemorating this occasion, and a wreath is laid every year to commemorate the struggle of the Magyar people

Notable people of the Town

Mungo Park (September 10, 1771 – 1806), explorer of the African continent
James Hogg (1770 – 1835), poet and author
Bobby Johnstone (1921 – 2001), Scotland international footballer
Sandy McMahon (1871 – 1916), Scotland international footballer and Celtic's eighth all time top goal scorer.
Andrew Lang (March 31, 1844 – July 20 1806), poet, novelist, literary critic and contributor to anthropology
James Marr Brydone, (1779 – 1866), surgeon who sighted the French fleet, signalling the beginning of the Battle of Trafalgar
James Brown (J.B. Selkirk) (1832 - 1904), poet and essayist
Peter Blake b.December 8 1951, film and television actor
Rae Hendrie b.1977, television actress
Tom Scott, artist