The Galashiels local history society.

The Club was formed in 1949 and our Internet presence was made in 2003.  
We would be pleased to hear from anyone with an interest in Galashiels' history.

There are these days a growing interest in local history. For some people this starts by browsing through old newspapers or by reading memoirs or diaries from past ages and decades.

For some the interest starts by examining the displays in local museums or even in searching through the property deeds or feu duty records for their own homes.

For most people however, we suspect that an interest in a town or area’s past is stimulated by hearing taped reminiscence or by viewing old photographs.

Indeed old pictures give perhaps the easiest access to what the past or its personalities were like. It is for this reason that we always start our winter programme each September with a large-scale slide show from our 15000 photographic collection of old Galashiels and area .

We do, of course, much more than simply collect photographs. The club also has a burgeoning museum collection.

Our collection is recognised by the Museum Service for Scotland and the Scottish Executive as an important local collection — but its maintenance relies solely upon voluntary efforts by club members.

We appeal to the public to donate photographs and artefacts, or loan to the Old Gala Club for copying, photographic material of any age with a local flavour.

We would like to welcome anyone interested in history to attend our monthly meetings — and hopefully come and join the club.

We welcome anyone interested in history to join our ranks and if you are prepared to join one of our activity groups such as the photographic or tape recording groups so much the better.