The town whose coat of arms commemorates a 14th-century slaughter

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1337, a raiding party of English soldiers was caught picking wild plums near Galashiels. The local Scots responded with a swift, violent ambush. Today, that bloody encounter is memorialized in the town's official heraldry, featuring foxes reaching for plums—a permanent visual reminder of a medieval skirmish.

Two foxes are shown on the local heraldry, stretching towards fruit hanging on a tree. This imagery serves as a direct reference to a specific historical incident in 1337. They were discovered by chance by a group of Scots, who subsequently slaughtered the entire party.

Beyond this medieval history, Galashiels has a long record of administrative independence. In 1599, it received its Burgh Charter and was designated a burgh of barony. This status led to a notable legal battle in the late 19th century. When county councils were established in 1890, Galashiels fought a court case against the Selkirkshire County Council to prove it should remain responsible for its own affairs, a victory upheld by the Scottish Supreme Court.

The town's identity is also shaped by its industrial evolution. The textile trade caused a massive population explosion, growing from 800 residents at the start of the 19th century to 19,553 by 1890. While many old mills have been converted into housing or retail spaces, the town remains a commercial hub. It also maintains a spirited, if good-hearted, rivalry with the neighboring town of Hawick, often trading insults about plumbing and local character.

Cultural landmarks further anchor the town's heritage. It is home to the Glasite church, a rare surviving structure sandwiched between mills, and the Pavilion Cinema, which has transitioned from a 1922 theatre to a modern four-screen cinema. From the 14th-century plum raid to the 2021 opening of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels blends violent history with a deep-seated commitment to community craft.

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