Earlston

Earlston is situated in the beautiful Lauderdale valley on the Leader Water. It nestles at the foot of the White Hill with the imposing Black Hill beyond, in a rolling, rich agricultural landscape.

The town straddles the A68; however the Main Street and majority of the community run east away from the main trunk road. As a result many travellers making their way north to Edinburgh or south through the Scottish Borders and into England do not detour into our “village”.

Although it has grown considerably from what was once a 12 century settlement and might be regarded now as a small town, with more housing and school development planned, the locals still affectionately refer to “the village”. The ancient name for Earlston was Ercildoune.

Earlston’s main claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of Sir Thomas Learmount, known worldwide as Thomas the Rhymer.

Legend has it that after meeting and kissing the Queen of Elfland while out hunting on the Eildon Hills, Thomas was spirited away for seven years and on returning to the world of men he was gifted with powers to foresee the future. The 16th century pele tower ruins associated with Thomas the Rhymer can be seen behind the coffee shop and petrol station at the south of the village on the A68.

The village has a variety of shopping opportunities ranging from butcher, grocery and food outlets, baker, newsagent, chemist, Post Office, florist, hairdressers, art gallery and three hotels/public houses. There are also several lovely Bed & Breakfast establishments in Earlston. There are a number of other businesses in or near the main street and in two small industrial estates.

The Primary School and Earlston High School are located towards the east end of the village. Earlston High School serves a large rural area which includes St Boswells, Melrose, Lauder and Gordon as well as numerous other villages. The school roll is in excess of 800 pupils.

Earlston has regular bus links to other Border towns and villages including Kelso, Melrose, Galashiels, Lauder, St. Boswells and Jedburgh as well as services seven days a week to Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed.