Galashiels

Galashiels is a burgh in the Scottish Borders, on the Gala Water river. Locals are referred to among people in the other borders as "pail mercs" because they were the last town in the borders to get indoor plumbing. The response by Galashiels residents is usually unprintable. The town is known for textile manufacturing, and is the location of the Scottish College of Textiles , now part of Heriot-Watt University.

A poem about the town is Braw Lads o Gala Watter:

Braw, braw lads o Gala Watter,

Bonnie lads o Gala Watter;

I'll kilt ma coats abuin ma knee,

An follae ma love throu the watter;

Braw, braw lads.

Lowden lads is black as deils,

An Selkirk lads isna muckle better;

I'll kilt ma coats abuin ma knee

An follae the lad o Gala Watter;

Braw, braw lad.

It's ower the moss an doun yon glen,

An ower the bonnie bluimin heather,

Nicht or day he beirs the gree,

The bonnie lad o Gala Watter;

Braw, braw lad.

Corn rigs is fine an bonnie,

A block o sheep is muckle better,

The wind will shak a field o aits

While lamms is frisklin in Gala Watter;

Braw, braw lads.

Adieu, soor ploums o Galashiels,

Tae you, ma faither, here's a letter;

It's I'm awa wi the black herd lad,

Tae bide wi him in Gala Watter;

Braw, braw lad.