Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 32 min4:26 am – 9:58 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 2 min8:38 am – 3:40 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,017 residentsin the Gala Water Valley and Earlston Area census areaMedian age 49.61,827 households69% of homes owner-occupied42% owned outright13% social rented, 15% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting2.9% unemployment rate64% of adults are economically active, 2,088 in work, 26% retiredMain industries: health and social work 16%, construction 9%, retail and wholesale 9%Getting to work: 36% work from home, 55% go by car, 4% take public transport, 5% walk or cycle41% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages38% of adults hold a degree or higher14% have no qualifications, 7% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 19°C, lows 10°CColdest month December: highs 6°C, lows 0°C991 mm of rain a year, 22 days with 10 mm or morewettest month December61 days of air frost, 3 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksPicts' Hillhill · under a mileMosshouses Moorhill · under a mileOak Poollake · 2.5 miBridgend Poollake · 2.5 miRedbridge Viaductviaduct · 2.6 miHaughead Streamriver · 2.6 miWhitslaid Towerhistoric site · 4.1 miQuarry Streamriver · 2.7 miSources: Ordnance Survey Open Names; Overture Maps
Parks and green spacesGalashiels Golf Coursegolf course · 1.7 mi · 31 haLadhope Recreation Groundplaying field · 1.6 mi · 7 haTweedbank Parkpark · 2.8 mi · 15 haGala Parkpark · 2.6 mi · 3 haScott Parkpark · 2.7 mi · 3 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes51 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19705 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 26 Dec 197944 mi away, Longtown, CumbriaMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 26 Jul 202120 mi away, Penicuik, MidlothianSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.6 · PM2.5 4.2 · PM10 6.5 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband32% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband98% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.5% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,011 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation176 m577 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 157 to 304 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalBorders General Hospital3.7 miGP surgeryBraeside Medical Practice2.4 miPharmacyNorthpharm LTD2.4 miDentist54 Ladhope Vale2.4 miPolice stationGalashiels Police Station2.4 miCash machinePost OfficeGalashiels2.6 miSources: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland; Overture Maps
Getting aroundAirportEdinburgh Airport EDI31 miRailway stationGalashiels2.3 miBus stationGalashiels Transport Interchange2.4 miFerryLeith Newhaven Harbour Ferry Landing29 miCar parkHigh Street Car ParkGalashiels2.5 miEV chargingRoam Charging StationGalashiels2.4 miSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports; Overture Maps
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the TD1 postcode district.
