Things to do in Galashiels

Lost on what sort of activities there are to do in the area? Then you've come to the right place!

Galashiels has a lot on offer that might not be apparent at first glance but this guide will go over all the choices you have at your disposal. From scenic walks to a healthy amount of nightlife, this is your one-stop for activities. If you want to skip the details and jump straight to locations, scroll to the bottom of the page for a link to a Google Maps list.

Walking routes

There is an abundance of walking routes and mini hikes for you to do in the area, with lots of photo-worthy spots dotted along the way. The best place for a full rundown on each walk, directions, duration, distance, etc is found on the official Galashiels website (where you can also find out lots of other information). Recommend looking through the different routes and finding one that suits you on the day.

Donkey Sanctuary

Also available to do close by is the Scottish borders donkey sanctuary which is located just a fifteen-minute drive away from the uni. At the sanctuary, the animals are free to roam and are cared for by the passionate staff. The place itself is beautiful, an Edwardian-built stable with scenic views and there are not just donkeys there; you'll find ponies, llamas, goats, pigs (and even a mule named Muffin). It reopens on 18th March with visits available every Saturday from then on. Tickets go for £5.98, with children and adoptees able to visit for free!

Alpaca trekking

The last outdoor activity we'd recommend is the alpaca trekking located in Innerleithen at Velvet hall alpacas. This is a bit further afield but worth the trek out to experience the joys of a walk with your very own alpaca. It's £20.00 for a 1-hour trek (per alpaca) and £5.00 for a 1-hour visit (book tickets/slots on their website and pay on arrival). Trekking is only available Friday to Monday while visiting is only available Tuesday to Thursday.

Nightlife

After a long day walking alpacas, you're probably thinking about what there is to do at nighttime. Well have no fear, there is plenty of stuff to get up to! 

• Volunteer hall - Events space for music, stand-up, performance, etc. Currently, the next event on the calendar is an ABBA tribute band called SWEDE DREAMZ, tickets are available here for £20.01.
• Pavilion cinema - Exactly what it says on the tin, a cinema with showings of the latest releases as well as special screenings of various theatre or opera performances.
• Indigo rooms - The local nightclub, open 22:00-03:00 every Friday and Saturday (student discount available with student ID). The next main event is Lisa Loud presenting Rendition house music night,  taking place on the 1st of April with tickets on sale soon.
• MacArts - A concert hall with a tonne of events already lined up for this year, ranging from indie bands to deep dives into serial killers' minds. Check out their website for a full lineup of 2023.

A couple more bars/pubs worth visiting are The Bridge Inn (live music regularly) and Reivers (a sports bar with karaoke).

Points of interest map

If you want to see a map with everything that has been covered in this article as well as a few more points of interest (Churches, gardens, fountains) then check out the map below to get directions to and from the main campus:





As you can see there is so much to do and see in Galashiels! Your issue now may be figuring out on what to do first, best of luck!

For more information on Galashiels, check out these articles:

Food & shopping

Societies, fitness & well-being

Volunteering & work