Descriptive account of the principal towns in Scotland

SELKIRK.
Selkirk is a Royal Burgh of great antiquity, and
the County-town of that district of Tweeddale, to
which it gives its name. It is 36 miles south from
Edinburgh, 11 north from Hawick, 7 west from Mel-
rose, and 22 miles from Peebles.
Selkirk is pleasantly situated on a rising ground, on
the south bank of the river Ettrick, commanding an
extensive prospect in every direction. Formerly the
Town was but meanly built, and could convey to a
stranger, no idea of its ancient importance. It has of
late been greatly improved, the Streets have been le-
velled and paved ; and many large new houses have
been built, some of them elegant. A new Town-
house, containing apartments for the Sheriff Court,
Town's Courts, and for public and other meetings ;
and a good Library-room, has lately been built,
adorned with a handsome Spire and Clock.
The old Jail, which stood in the middle of the
Street, has been taken down ; and a new Prison has
been built in a more eligible situation, on the north
side of the Town, surrounded by a high wall, enclose
ing an area, in which the prisoners have liberty to
walk.
Selkirk is governed by two Bailies, who With a
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