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Template:Infobox Scotland place The Royal Burgh of Selkirk, is a town in the south-east of Scotland, with a population of 5,839. The former county town of Selkirkshire, it today lies within the Scottish Borders region.

The town is perhaps best known for its annual Common Riding, which commemorates the return of the town’s sole survivor from the The Battle of Flodden in 1513.

The people of the town are known as "Souters", named after the town's traditional shoe cobbling industry.

Selkirk lies in the valley of the River Ettrick The A7 Edinburgh to Carlisle road passes through the town, with roads also leading to Dumfries and Newcastle. The nearest airports are at Edinburgh and Newcastle.

Founded in the 6th century, the settlement was 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"

The town grew on woollen industry, although now it is perhaps best known for its glass manufacturing and bannocks.

Historically, and is associated with Mungo Park,Walter Scott and William Wallace amongst many other notable figures from Scotland’s past.

O' Floddenfield!

Statue of Fletcher out side Victoria Halls, Selkirk

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), that the town is best known for.

The annual Common Riding commemorates Selkirk's main link with a turbulent past every June. Around 500 riders (The World's second largest manned cavalcade) saddle their horses at daybreak to commemorate the age-old custom of riding the Burgh Marches, the land of the town. The Casting of the Colours, which takes place later in the day, remembers the eighty men from the town who marched to Flodden Field with their king, James IV.

Legend says that 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

Walter Scott's Courtroom in Selkirk Market Square

Prolific Scottish historical novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott was appointed Sheriff to Selkirkshire in 1799. Dispensing justice for Thirty-three years until his death in 1832. It was during this time that Scott wrote the majority of his works, and today the courtroom is open as a museum celebrating his life .

The Selkirk Grace

The Selkirk Grace, is a grace (prayer said before a meal) attributed to Robert Burns:

Today it is rarly used except 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.

The Scottish King, as a vassal in respect of his lands in England, paid homage to Edward and, in return, suffered many humiliations at the hands of his overlords. Scottish nobles and gentry, many from the Borderland, were compelled to swear allegiance to the "proud usurper."

However, this reign of tyranny and oppression was destined to be overthrown by one of humble birth. From the West of Scotland came William Wallace, a Scots knight who led his countrymen in resistance to English domination.

No part of Scotland, 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 the nearby village of Falahill.

The Hungarian Connection

Annually, In March, Hungarians from across Scotland gather in the town's County Hotel for their national day celebrations. It was from the balcony of The County in December 1856, that Hungary's great patriot Lajos Kossuth addressed a large massed meeting of Borders sympathisers. It was part of a grand tour of the UK in which Kossuth raised awareness and funds for his subjugated Magyar people. Eight years earlier, he had led a Magyar revolution against the tyranny of Hapsburg rule. A plaque now stands outside The County Hotel, commemorating this occasion, and a wreath is laid every year to commemorate the struggle of the Magyar people

Notable people of the Town

File:Mungopark.jpg

Mungo Park Monument located on Selkirk High Street

Mungo Park (September 10, 1771 – 1806), explorer of the African continent
James Hogg (1770 – 1835), poet and author
Bobby Johnstone (1921 – 2001), Scotland international footballer
Sandy McMahon (1871 – 1916), Scotland international footballer and Celtic's eighth all time top goal scorer.
Andrew Lang (March 31, 1844 – July 20 1806), 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

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    |Police=            [[Lothian and Borders Police]]
 }}
-The [[Royal Burgh]] of '''Selkirk''' is a town in the [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[Scottish Borders|Borders]]. It lies on the [[River Ettrick]], a tributary of the [[River Tweed]], famous for its [[salmon fishing]]. The population at the time of the 2001 [[census]] was 5,839.
+The [[Royal Burgh]] of '''Selkirk''', is a town in the south-east of [[Scotland]], with a population of 5,839. The former [[county town]] of [[Selkirkshire]], it today lies within the [[Scottish Borders]] region.
+The town is perhaps best known for its annual [[Common Riding]], which commemorates the return of the town’s sole survivor from the [[Flodden|The Battle of Flodden]] in 1513.
-It may not be the largest [[burgh]] in the [[Scottish Borders]], but it possesses a great amount of history, tradition and spirit. It was formerly the [[county town]] of [[Selkirkshire]].
-The people of the town, "Souters", named after the town's traditional shoe cobblers, are proud followers of all things [[Scottish Borders|Borders]], from their [[Common Riding]] and [[Rugby union|rugby]].
+The people of the town are known as "Souters", named after the town's traditional shoe cobbling industry.
+Selkirk lies in the valley of the [[Ettrick, Scotland|River Ettrick]] The A7 [[Edinburgh]] to [[Carlisle]] road passes through the town, with roads also leading to [[Dumfries]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]. The nearest airports are at [[Edinburgh Airport|Edinburgh]] and [[Newcastle Airport|Newcastle]].
-Selkirk's ancient past is one which encompasses many aspects of [[History of Scotland|Scottish history]], from being the site of the first Border [[abbey]] to where [[William Wallace]], was declared [[Guardian of Scotland]]. The names of [[Bonnie Prince Charlie]], [[Marquess of Montrose|The Marquess of Montrose]] and the [[Outlaw Murray]] have all contributed to create the town's unique historical tapestry.
 Founded in the [[6th century]], the settlement was 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"
-The town grew on [[wool]]len industry, although now it is perhaps best known for its [[glass]] manufacturing and [[Bannock (food)|bannock]]s.  It has a [[museum]] and [[art gallery]], and is associated with [[Mungo Park (explorer)|Mungo Park]] and [[Walter Scott]].
+The town grew on [[wool|woollen]] industry, although now it is perhaps best known for its [[glass]] manufacturing and [[Bannock (food)|bannock]]s.
-In common with other Border towns, Selkirk town has an annual [[Common Riding]], at which the following [[Scots language|Scots]] song can be heard:
+Historically, and is associated with [[Mungo Park (explorer)|Mungo Park]],[[Walter Scott]] and [[William Wallace]] amongst many other notable figures from Scotland’s past.
-:'''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 aw the braw laddies
-:That weirs the single-soled shuin.
-:It's up wi the Souters o Selkirk,
-:For thay 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 Scarlett" 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!==
 [[Image:Vickyhalls.jpg|right|thumb|Statue of Fletcher out side Victoria Halls, Selkirk]]
-Selkirk men fought with [[William Wallace]] at [[Battle of Stirling Bridge|Stirling Brig]] and [[Battle of Falkirk (1298)|Falkirk]], and also with [[Robert the Bruce]] at [[Battle of Bannockburn|Bannockburn]], but it is Selkirk's connection with [[Flodden|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.
+Selkirk men fought with [[William Wallace]] at [[Battle of Stirling Bridge|Stirling Brig]] and [[Battle of Falkirk (1298)|Falkirk]], and also with [[Robert the Bruce]] at [[Battle of Bannockburn|Bannockburn]], but it is Selkirk's connection with [[Flodden|The Battle of Flodden]] ([[1513]]), that the town is best known for.
-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 Casting of the Colours remembers the story of when over eighty men from the town marched to Flodden Field with their king, [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]].
+The annual [[Common Riding]] commemorates Selkirk's main link with a turbulent past every June. Around 500 riders (The World's second largest manned cavalcade) saddle their horses at daybreak to commemorate the age-old custom of riding the Burgh [[Marches]], the land of the town. The Casting of the Colours, which takes place later in the day, remembers the eighty men from the town who marched to Flodden Field with their king, [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]].
-Only one returned, "Fletcher", bearing a blood-stained [[English flag]], belonging to the [[Macclesfield]] regiment. On his return he cast the captured [[England|English]] standard around his head to describe that all others had perished in battle.
+Legend says that only one returned, "Fletcher", bearing a blood-stained [[English flag]], belonging to the [[Macclesfield]] regiment. On his return he cast the captured [[England|English]] standard around his head to describe that all others had perished in battle.
 ==Sir Walter Scott and Selkirk==
 [[Image:Scottscourtroom.jpg|right|thumb|Walter Scott's Courtroom in Selkirk Market Square]]
+Prolific [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[historical novel|historical novelist]] and [[poet]] [[Sir Walter Scott]] was appointed Sheriff to Selkirkshire in [[1799]]. Dispensing justice for Thirty-three years until his death in [[1832]].
-Selkirk's past also includes the legendary [[Sir Walter Scott]], and this is one connection that the town has put to great use.
+It was during this time that Scott wrote the majority of his works, and today the courtroom is open as a museum celebrating his life .
-'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)|grace]] (prayer said before a meal) attributed to [[Robert Burns]]:
-Today it is mainly used on special occasions, such as [[Burns' Night]].
+Today it is rarly used except on special occasions, such as [[Burns' Night]].
 :Some hae meat and canna eat,
@@ Line 81: / Line 65: @@
 However, this reign of [[tyranny]] and oppression was destined to be overthrown by one of humble birth. From the West of [[Scotland]] came [[William Wallace]], a [[Scotland|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]].
+No part of [[Scotland]], 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 Delano Roosevelt|Franklin D. Roosevelt]], the 32nd [[President of the United States|President]] of the [[United States of America]]. Roosevelt, whose ancestors came from the area, named his famous dog [[Fala]], after the nearby village of [[Falahill]].