Galashiels in the Scottish Borders has been declared the happiest place in Scotland to live according to Rightmove.
The online real estate property portal revealed its 11th annual Happy at Home Index earlier this month, and Galashiels topped the Scottish list, and placed second for the whole of the UK. Other Scottish destinations included in the top 10 included Perth and Stirling.
Galashiels, located approximately 34 miles from Edinburgh, scored particularly highly on its friendliness and politeness. Valuer at Rettie & Co. Borders Alice Brown said: "It is no surprise that Galashiels is so loved by its residents.
"Its central placement in the Borders makes it a popular location for families, giving a relaxed way of life while being in a commutable distance of Edinburgh via either the Borders Railway, bus or car."
Galashiels, known by locals as Gala, was made a burgh of barony in 1599. Its town motto is Sour Plums, which refers to an event in 1337 in which a raiding party of English soldiers were picking wild plums close to the town and were killed by Scots.
Those who grew up in Scotland may be familiar with sweets by the name of Soor plooms, which have come to be associated with the town. They are round, green boiled sweets with an acidic taste.
Fans of Robert Burns may know that the Scottish poet wrote two poems about Galashiels: Sae Fair Her Hair and Braw Lads. The second is sung every year at the town's Braw Lads Gathering, an annual festival celebrating the town's history and traditions.
Another iconic Scottish poet and writer associated with Galashiels is Sir Walter Scott, who built the historic country house of Abbotsford just across the River Tweed from Galashiels in the 1800s. The building is now open to the public, and visitors can wander through and learn more about Scott.
Galashiels is known across the world for its rich history in the textile industry, and is now home to Heriot-Watt University's School of Textiles and Design. The town, which has a population of around 10,000, grew in size in the 19th century as the industry flourished, with the creation of several mills.
Nowadays, one of its most popular tourist attractions is the Great Tapestry of Scotland, one of the world's largest community arts projects that celebrates the town's textile legacy. Hand-stitched by more than 1,000 individuals, the tapestry consists of around 160 linen panels and 300 miles of wool—enough to lay the entire length of Scotland.
The tapestry details more than 420 million years of Scottish history, starting from the country's land formation and ending in 2013 when it was completed. It is located in the purpose-built Great Tapestry of Scotland gallery & visitor centre, which also includes visiting exhibits, workshops, and a cafe.
Another popular spot among tourists and those looking to learn more about the town's history is Old Gala House. Dating back to 1583, the impressive house found near the town centre is now open to the public as a museum and gallery that tells the story of the town and its people.
Among the other sites Galashiels has to offer are its Architectural Trail, which takes visitors on a journey across 13 of the town's most famous and historic buildings, and its walking and hiking routes through the beautiful surrounding countryside.
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