Old photograph of soldiers from the King's Own Scottish Borderers eating breakfast outside the Technical College in Galashiels, Scottish Borders of Scotland. The regiment was raised on 18 March 1689 by David Melville, 3rd Earl of Leven to defend Edinburgh against the Jacobite forces of King James II. It's claimed that 800 men were recruited within the space of two hours. The regiment's first action was at the Battle of Killiecrankie, Perthshire, on 27 July 1689. Although this battle was a defeat for the Williamite army, the Jacobite commander, John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee, Bonnie Dundee, was killed by a volley fired by Leven's Regiment, bringing an end to James II's attempt to save his throne in Scotland. The regiment was judged to have performed well and was granted the privilege of recruiting by beat of drum in the City of Edinburgh without prior permission of the provost. Robert Burns wrote two poems about Galashiels, " Sae Fair Her Hair " and " Braw Lads ". The latter is sung by the some of the townsfolk each year at the Braw Lads Gathering. Sir Walter Scott built his home, Abbotsford, just across the River Tweed from Galashiels. The Sir Walter Scott Way, a long distance walking path from Moffat to Cockburnspath passes through Galashiels.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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