Skirling village lies on the A72 Peebles to Biggar Road at the western edge of the Scottish Borders, just one mile from the boundary with South Lanarkshire.

The village is within a strict conservation area with no fewer than 17 listed properties, the most important of which is the beautiful Skirling House on the village green,

built by Lord Carmichael and designed in 1905 by Ramsay Traquair.

Originally made up of five small farms on the valley floor next to Skirling Burn, the village of Skirling now boasts a population of around 160 people and is still predominantly surrounded by agricultural land.

Although there is no shop, pub or school, Skirling House is now an award winning Arts & Crafts style guest house and the village hall is much used for social occasions.

In 1974, James Veitch wrote a fascinating article about Skirling and its history, which is well worth a read. Please click below for a copy in pdf format.