Culture

Culture

Our culture and traditions are still at the very heart of our town. Come and learn about Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832), the Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright and historian, who also popularised the wearing of tartan. See where Robert Burns was slighted by a local doctor. Visit a mill where the cloth is still produced today by local craftspeople and enjoy the work of local artists and photographers at the town’s two art galleries.

Discover local authors, including Alastair Moffat, founder of the Borders Book Festival, in Selkirk’s book stores. Hear about our folklore and ballads and then enjoy the local music in the pub at night, perhaps with a locally produced beer, gin or juice in hand as you tap your feet.

Sir Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright and historian, who also popularised the wearing of tartan in 1822 and rediscovered Scotland’s crown jewels. Sheriff in Selkirk for over 30 years, his former court room in the centre of town can still be visited today, and his home Abbotsford, some 4 miles away.

James Hogg

A contemporary and friend of Scott’s was James Hogg, the ‘Ettrick Shepherd’ (1770 – 1835), who was born in the nearby Ettrick Valley. A Scots poet, novelist and essayist who wrote in both Scots and English. as a young man he worked as a shepherd and farm hand, and was largely self-educated through reading. He was a friend of many of the great writers of his day, including Sir Walter Scott, of whom he later wrote an unauthorised biography.

Image from the Buccleuch Art Collection, on display at Bowhill House

Tom Scott RSA

Selkirk was home to acclaimed Scottish painter Tom Scott (1854-1927), who was known for his watercolours and his dedication to the depiction of the landscapes, unique architecture and cultural history of Selkirk and the Scottish borderlands.

Scottish figurative painter Caroline McNairn (1955-2010), herself the daughter of Scots painter John McNairn, was born in Selkirk. Bernat Klein, Serbian-born textile designer lived just outside Selkirk at Peter Womersley’s highly acclaimed building High Sunderland. The town continues to be home to many local artists, many of whom work and exhibit at Selkirk Wasps Artists’ Studios or are represented in the town’s two art galleries.

Image from the Buccleuch Art Collection, on display at Bowhill House

Robert Burns

In May 1787 a 28-year-old Robert Burns (1759-1796) took a tour of the Borders. He had just published the Edinburgh Edition of his poems and the tour was his celebrity debut and his first foray to the Borders.  His stay in Selkirk was the one of the Ploughman Poets more memorable locations.

Bowhill Theatre

Theatre transformed from the Estate’s old cold storage room

Sir Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist who also popularised tartan and rediscovered Scotland’s crown jewels

Frightened Rabbit

Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit come from Selkirk