Scottish life is a rich tapestry all right and you can enjoy the full fabric on Gala days in the Scottish Borders.
Galashiels, or Gala to the locals, sits in the Tweed valley which includes Selkirk,Hawick, Kelso and Berwick upon Tweed…
It’s apt that the tapestry which depicts the country’s millions of years of history up to 2013 should be housed in the Borders town.
Because of its place in the world of fabrics.
And more of that later.
The Scottish tapestry was hand-stitched by 1,000 people from across the land.
And it is made up of 160 linen panels and 300 miles of wool.
Enough to stretch the entire length of Scotland.
Tapestries were, of course, our medieval predecessors’ Instagram.
The oul cloth
William the Conqueror’s victory over King Harold was famously depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry.
And even in our modern digital age we have reverted to a love for the oul cloth.
With Belfast and the North of Ireland, a popular location site for Game of Thrones.
Chronicling that GoT world in its very own tapestry.
A rich thread runs through Gala from its inception in 1124.
And you’ll work out from that that there will be big events for its 900th anniversary next year.
When we visit to see an old university buddy, Al, a fellow Glaswegian but adopted Gala Braw Lad of a quarter of century, he is clearing up.
From a balcony party for said Braw Lads.
The Candy Man
The Braw Lads Gathering is a commemoration of the victory of local lads over the English back in 1337.
With the English ambushed while they ate local plums.
And to this day Soor Plums are given by the girls to their lads in the ceremony.
Now Soor Plooms as Scots of a certain age will know is a boiled sweet which brings us to Gala’s other claim to fame.
Adopted Gala weaver Robert Coltart manufactured an aniseed-flavoured confectionery in neighbouring town Melrose.
And he sold it around the Borders towns, marketing it to the local children in distinctive style which is marked in Gala’s Market Square.
Sing me a lullaby
The song was a jingle for the aniseed-flavoured confectionery that he manufactured in Melrose.
And sold around the markets of the Border towns.
Alas his candy has gone but his jingle has become legend, sung by mums and dads as lullabies to their kids a sample of which we bring you here.
Courtesy of Donovan, and then the Irish Rovers…
‘Ally bally, ally bally beee
Sittin on yer mammy’s knee
Greetin for a wee bawbee
tae buy some Coulter’s candy.’
With a bawbee an ancient coin and Coulter’s a variation on Robert’s surname.
Candy to go
The song has travelled wherever Scots have gone.
As I found out at the Barbados Celtic Festival in Bridgetown on my ambassadorial visit to Barbados.
When the teacher of the wee Bajans led her class in a recitation of Coulter’s Candy.
And if you’ve got more than a day visit in the Borders, and we’d encourage you to bide awhile, then check out Visit Scotland’s site for accommodation within your range.