Old Gala House
A free museum and gallery in a 16th-century house in Galashiels, with local history, a Thomas Clapperton sculpture display and changing art exhibitions.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Old Gala House in Galashiels began as a tower house built in 1457 by the Hoppringill (Pringle) family, who had received the Gala lands from the Earl of Douglas. In 1583 Andrew Hoppringill made major improvements and extended it as the family home, and further building followed in 1611. In 1635 his daughter Jean married Hugh Scott, and the Scott family became the lairds of Gala. A ceiling painting that celebrates the marriage was rediscovered in 1952. Extensions in the 17th and 18th centuries produced the five-bay, U-shaped house seen today, which stands in gardens with water features.
In 1872 Hugh Scott, ninth of Gala, commissioned the architect David Bryce to design a new house, and the family moved out of the old one. The new house was demolished in 1985, and around the same time Scottish Borders Council renovated the old house and converted it into a venue. It is a Category A listed building.
Today Old Gala House is a museum and gallery run by the charitable trust Live Borders. It tells the story of Galashiels and its people, has a permanent exhibition on the sculptor Thomas Clapperton, and shows changing exhibitions of contemporary art, design and craft in the Pringle Room and the Christopher Boyd Gallery. The gardens have a fountain, a waterfall and picnic benches and are looked after by volunteers.
Highlights
- House dating back to 1583, once home of the lairds of Gala
- Permanent exhibition on the sculptor Thomas Clapperton
- Changing exhibitions of art, design and craft
- Gardens with a fountain, a waterfall and picnic benches
- Free entry
Permanent exhibition
- Thomas Clapperton – A permanent exhibition on the sculptor Thomas Clapperton on the ground floor.
- Operated by
- Live Borders
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free; donations help to keep the museum free for everyone.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The front entrance has three steps; the rear entrance has a ramp. The ground floor is mostly accessible, except the Thomas Clapperton Room, which has stair access only. Most exhibition spaces are on the first floor, which is reached by stairs or a chairlift that takes one person. There is an accessible toilet with baby changing on the ground floor. A disabled parking space is at the rear of the building. Only registered assistance dogs may enter the building. Quiet Wonders, gentle museum mornings for visitors who prefer a calmer, sensory-considered visit, run from 10:00 to 12:00 on the first Friday of the month.
Kids & families
- Baby changing facilities
Baby changing facilities are in the ground-floor accessible toilet.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
St John Street (bus 54) · 3-min walk
Galashiels Transport Interchange for trains and buses is about 0.6 miles (1 kilometre) away, with finger signs in town. The town bus service 54 stops on St John Street, about a 3-minute walk along Scott Crescent.
By car
Free parking
Limited free parking in the courtyard in front of the museum and free parking on Scott Crescent. There is a disabled space at the rear.
- Accessible parking
Bike racks are in the courtyard. Coach tours are welcome.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
A small shop is at the welcome desk in the Pringle Room. Wi-Fi access is listed among the facilities. Toilets are on site.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The house is offered as a wedding and event venue.
