The ancient town and Royal Burgh of Selkirk stands high above the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys in the Scottish Borders. It lies on Ettrick Water, a tributary of the River Tweed. The people of the town are known as Souters. William Wallace was proclaimed Overlord of Scotland in the towns Forest Kirk. Selkirk is an attractive town extending from the hilltop location of its Market Place and High Street down steep slopes to the impressive old woollen mills and more modern industrial areas along the valley of the Ettrick Water. The heart of Selkirk today remains its market place. Overlooking it from the south east is the courtroom in which Sir Walter Scott, the famous novelist and author of such classics such as Rob Roy and Ivanhoe acted as Sheriff of Selkirk. This now serves as a museum.
In front of it stands the large statue of Sir Walter erected in 1839. Further along the High Street is the Mungo Park Monument, celebrating the African explorer born nearby in 1771. Selkirk Common Riding, with over 400 riders taking part, is recognised as one of the oldest of the Border festivals. Another tradition of the town popular with visitors is the Selkirk Bannock, a delicious fruit cake. For walkers, the Borders Abbeys Way passes though Selkirk. Three miles west of the town is Bowhill house, a Georgian mansion, set in extensive grounds. The twin valleys of Ettrick and Yarrow contain some of the most glorious scenery in the Scottish borders, with St. Marys Loch, the largest stretch of water in southern Scotland.
