Selkirk & Galashiels - Towns & Countryside

Navigating The Route

This is a two-town Detective Mystery around Selkirk, Galashiels and the surrounding countryside, with Detectives called in after local socialite Inca Hoots is found mysteriously lifeless before she can host a press conference about stolen Border Reivers' relics - follow the clues to unmask the culprit.

The investigation covers around 2 miles walking or 8 miles cycling and should take 3+ hours. You'll begin at West Port car park behind Halliwell's House Museum / Visitor Information in Selkirk, investigate Selkirk High Street and Market Place, then continue between Selkirk and Galashiels by a short cycle or drive before tackling the Galashiels section around its town centre streets.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Expect a steep hill at the start, uphill sections, steps, narrow pavements, a cycle path with a section on quiet roads, some road crossings, plus a narrow passageway and pedestrianised streets in Galashiels.

Cross the main road carefully after the steep hill, and take care on narrow pavements, one-way roads, road crossings and around the kirkyard and car parks.

Getting There

By car: Start the case at West Port car park behind Halliwell's House Museum / Visitor Information, Selkirk (TD7 4BL), using ///masts.flickers.firmly. Cycle racks are available here for locking up bikes.

In Galashiels, Currie Road car park (TD1 2BP), using ///depths.grid.emails, is a free car park. Tesco Extra is the bike parking point in Galashiels.

By public transport: Make your way to West Port car park behind Halliwell's House Museum / Visitor Information in Selkirk to begin the investigation. The route is linked by a short cycle or drive between Selkirk and Galashiels.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are at the entrance to the car park at the start point in Selkirk. In Galashiels, there are toilets at Tesco, Asda, Costa and the train station.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

If four-legged Detectives are joining the investigation, plan for a varied route under paw. 🐾

The case includes steep hills, steps, narrow pavements, road crossings, one-way roads, a cycle path with a section on quiet roads, a kirkyard, car parks, a narrow passageway and pedestrianised streets, so keep canine companions close and take extra care around traffic and tighter sections.

Food & Drink Stops

Evidence-gathering across two towns calls for decent supplies. There are plenty of places to pick up provisions along the way, with Tesco, Asda and Costa specifically mentioned in Galashiels.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Old Gala House

If the gate is open, Detectives can make an optional diversion through the gardens at Old Gala House before rejoining the route. It also has a starring role in the case, as this was intended to be the location of Inca Hoots' press conference.

Selkirk High Street and Market Place

Selkirk's town centre gives the investigation a strong historic setting, with the old courthouse area, the charter plaque and the war memorial all in the mix. Keep an eye out for the town's shoemaking story too - Selkirk was once famed for shoemaking and received 2,000 pairs of boots in 1745 for Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army.

St John's Kirkyard and Murray Aisle

The route enters St John's Kirkyard through the main gates to use the information panel and find Murray Aisle. It's also where the Trail introduces the Border Reivers - raiders who roamed the Anglo-Scottish frontier from the late 1200s to early 1600s.

Galashiels town centre

The Galashiels section takes in the library, Volunteer Hall, the old mercat cross, Channel Street and the square. Look out for the quirky stone carvings nearby too, including a dolphin and two foxes echoing the town's coat of arms and the 'Sour Plums' motto.

Mungo Park Memorial

Back in Selkirk, the route passes the Mungo Park Memorial on High Street. Nearby clues also point Detectives towards the Fletcher statue and a plaque connected with Flodden Field, making this stretch a neat cluster of local evidence once the main casework slows down.