Innerleithen: Printing History, Buildings and Waterways

Innerleithen brings together a working printworks, distinctive architectural heritage and waterways to create a clear sense of place. When choosing a hotel destination, you can consider whether you are particularly interested in industrial heritage, historic architecture, festival history or the landscape. The following topics show different sides of the town and offer practical ideas for planning your stay.

Culture and Local History

Robert Smail’s Printing Works is a working letterpress printworks. It is an important part of Scotland’s industrial heritage. The printworks links a specific printing technique with the history of Scottish industry—offering a different perspective from the town’s church and bridge architecture.

Innerleithen Parish Church is Gothic Revival in style and was originally designed by Thomas Pilkington in 1865. In 1887, James Macintyre Henry extensively remodelled it. High-quality stonework, an unusual floor plan and a notable interior with galleries are among its defining features. The two dates show the difference between the original design and the later remodelling.

Cuddy Brig adds a much earlier construction date to this picture: the stone arch bridge over the Leithen Water was built in 1701. The Innerleithen Conservation Area currently includes 19 listed buildings and two Scheduled Monuments. This places an individually dated structure alongside a broader designated conservation area, offering two different scales of heritage.

Wells, Games and Festival History

Local history can also be traced to different points in time. St. Ronan’s Wells was established at the site of a natural spring in the 1820s and flourished during the 19th century. The St. Ronan’s Border Games were founded in 1827 and are regarded as Scotland’s oldest organised sporting gathering. St. Ronan’s Games and Cleikum Ceremonies is a border festival unique to Innerleithen. The history of the Wells and the Games, founded in 1827, provide different historical points of reference. If you would like to include the Games in your travel plans, check the latest event dates in advance.

Waterways and Landscape

The Mill Lade is an artificial watercourse, also known locally as the Dam, which you can follow through the town centre. Routes from Innerleithen and Walkerburn include easy walks along the banks of the River Tweed and the Leithen Water. This offers a contrast between riverside paths beside two bodies of water and an artificial watercourse running through the town centre.

At the foot of Caerlee Hill is a woodland of broadleaf and conifer trees, managed by the Woodland Trust. The woodland adds a named, managed site to the area’s waterways. Together with the riverside paths, it offers another perspective on the landscape around Innerleithen and Walkerburn.

Getting There and Practical Planning

Innerleithen is accessible by bus. From the nearest bus stop, it is about a half-mile walk to Innerleithen Forest. The nearest railway station is in Galashiels. The X62 runs directly from Galashiels to Innerleithen, then continues on its return journey to Peebles and Edinburgh. Check the timetable in advance if you plan to travel by train and bus.

When available, the Adrenalin Uplift shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes and carries up to 64 passengers and their bikes. As the service is subject to availability and current operating information may change, check before making your plans.

Discover more destinations: Earlston, Lilliesleaf, Buccleuch, Saint Boswells, Ednam, Eyemouth, Peebles, Newcastleton.

For the broader travel overview: The Scottish Borders.