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Selkirk
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Selkirk, a royal burgh in the heart of the Scottish Borders, lies on the River Ettrick, a tributary of the River Tweed. At the time of the 2008 census, Selkirk's population was 17,839.
Selkirk is not a large town, but it possesses a huge amount of history and traditions; it was formerly the county town of Selkirkshire. Selkirk is one of the oldest burghs in Scotland and is the site of the earliest settlements in what is now the Scottish Borders
The people of the town are known locally as 'Souters', named after the town's traditional shoe cobblers.
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Encyclopedia
Selkirk, a royal burgh in the heart of the Scottish Borders, lies on the River Ettrick, a tributary of the River Tweed. At the time of the 2008 census, Selkirk's population was 17,839.
Selkirk is not a large town, but it possesses a huge amount of history and traditions; it was formerly the county town of Selkirkshire. Selkirk is one of the oldest burghs in Scotland and is the site of the earliest settlements in what is now the Scottish Borders
The people of the town are known locally as 'Souters', named after the town's traditional shoe cobblers. The celebration of the Selkirk Common Riding is a distinguishing feature of the local community, along with the importance with which rugby union is held in the town. The burgh is known as "the festival town" because of its Common Riding, the winter festival of "Scott's Selkirk" each December in memory of local sheriff, Sir Walter Scott and it also hosts the largest Vintage Car Rally in Scotland, each September.
Selkirk has indelibly stamped itself on Scotland's and the Scottish Borders' ancient past. From being the site of the first Border Abbey to where William Wallace, "Braveheart", was declared Guardian of Scotland. The diverse names of Bonnie Prince Charlie, The Marquess of Montrose and the Outlaw Murray have all contributed to create a unique historical tapestry.
Founded in the 6th century, the settlement of Selkirk was originally 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'.
Selkirk's limited population grew up because of its woollen industry, although now the town is perhaps best known for its bannocks, or hard dried fruit cakes. It has a very small museum and art gallery, and associations with Mungo Park (explorer), James Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd and Walter Scott. It is also home to Scotland's oldest horse racing track, the Gala Rig, on the outskirts of the town.
Selkirk Common Riding
Selkirk commemorates and celebrates her history at the annual Common Riding, always held on the second Friday after the first Monday in June, when the town's boundaries or 'marches' are ridden. Usually in the region of 400-500, Selkirk boasts one of the largest cavalcade of horses and riders of Europe. Apart from Selkirk only Hawick, Lauder and Langholm have Common Ridings, though other Border towns have festivals emulating the traditional Border Common Ridings.
The following Scots song can always be heard there:
- 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 wears the single-soled shoon.
- 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 Scarlet' 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 Common Riding and the need to defend the town's lands goes back at least 1,000 years. 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, also more commonly recognised in the town as "Walty the Plamf". This is one connection that the town has put to great use. In 1799 Scott was appointed Sheriff-Deputy of the County of Selkirk, and was based in the Royal Burgh's Courthouse, which can be found in the town sqaure. In recognition of this fact, each winter the town holds a weekend long festival named 'Scott's Selkirk'.
'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: It was written for the Earl of Selkirk who resided in Kirkcudbrightshire and Burns wrote it as an apology when he was late for a dinner invitation.
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.
Balliol, as preceding kings before him paid homage, in respect of his lands in England, to Edward and, in return, suffered many humiliations at the hands of the supposed English Suzerain. Scottish nobles and gentry, many from the Borderland, were compelled to swear allegiance to the "proud usurper."
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 Fala and the nearby village of Falahill.
Sport
As previously mentioned, rugby union plays a huge role in Selkirk culture and society. Void of the class stigma evident in the game throughout the rest of Scotland, rugby in the Scottish Borders is a much more inclusive sport. Selkirk RFC play in their home games at Philiphaugh, and are now in Premiership Division One and Border League (the oldest established rugby union league in the world).
The town also has a proud footballing tradition, having produced greats of the Scottish game including Bobby Johnstone of Hibernian, Bob Mercer of Heart of Midlothian and Sandy McMahon of Celtic. Selkirk FC are members of the East of Scotland Football League and currently play in the Premier Division. Nicknamed The Souters, the club was founded in 1880 and is the oldest club in the Borders. Their home ground is Yarrow Park.
Notable people of the Town
- Mungo Park (September 10, 1771 – 1806), explorer of the African continent
- James Hogg (1770 – 1835), poet and author
- Gideon Lang - Australian pastoralist and parliamentarian
- Bobby Johnstone (1921 – 2001), Scotland international footballer and a member of the Hibernian legendary Famous Five forward line
- Sandy McMahon (1871 – 1916), Scotland international footballer and Celtic's eighth all time top goal scorer.
- Andrew Lang (March 31, 1844 – July 20 1912), 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
- John Rutherford b.1955 Scotland International rugby player and British and Irish Lion. He won 42 caps at fly-half for his country,at the time a record in that position.
- Michelle "Shell" Jubin Contestant in the 5th series of the television show Big Brother, aired in 2004, in which she finished in fourth place. She studied at Selkirk High School.
- Tibbie Tamson Alleged convicted 'witch' sentenced to death by the town of Selkirk and executed by being burnt at the stake.
- Frightened Rabbit Indie rock band.
- Marnie Faulkner World famous artist pioneered the original Scottish abstract movement.
See also
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