Corporate Housing in Galashiels

Learn about the top employers in Galashiels and their contributions to the local economy. This section highlights key businesses and organisations that play a significant role in the community and shape the city's vibrant economic landscape.

Scottish Borders Council
The local authority responsible for public services across the Scottish Borders (education, roads, housing, social care and planning). It is a major employer across the region and has a significant workforce and service presence in Galashiels.

NHS Borders
The regional health board providing hospital, community and primary care services across the Scottish Borders. NHS Borders runs local clinics and community health services and is a key employer of clinical and support staff in and around Galashiels.

Borders College
The regional further and higher education college with a campus in Galashiels. It provides vocational training, apprenticeships and higher-education courses and employs teaching, support and administrative staff locally.

Eildon Housing Association (Eildon Housing Group)
A large registered social landlord operating across the Borders that develops, manages and maintains affordable homes and related community services. Eildon has a substantial operational presence and staff based in Galashiels.

Morrisons (Galashiels supermarket)
A national supermarket chain with a store serving Galashiels and the surrounding area; supermarkets are among the town’s larger private-sector employers, providing jobs in retail, warehousing and customer service.

Note: Local employer rankings and employee counts change over time. If you’d like, I can verify current top employers for Galashiels with up-to-date headcounts and sources.

Explore the diverse transport options available in Galashiels, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Borders Railway (ScotRail) - Passenger rail service reinstated to the Borders with a station serving Galashiels/Tweedbank; provides regular scheduled trains to Edinburgh Waverley and intermediate stops, greatly improving commuting and rail access to the capital.
- Local and regional buses (Borders Buses and other operators) - Frequent bus services link Galashiels with nearby towns such as Melrose, Selkirk, Hawick, Jedburgh, Peebles and Kelso, plus regional connections that feed into larger towns and transport hubs.
- Long‑distance coach services - Limited direct intercity coach options from Galashiels itself; bulk long‑distance coach services are typically accessed via regional hubs or Edinburgh for national routes.
- Taxis and community transport - Local taxi firms, private hire vehicles, Dial‑a‑Ride and volunteer/charity community transport schemes provide door‑to‑door and accessible transport options within the town and surrounding villages.
- Station parking and interchange facilities - Car parks, cycle parking and drop‑off areas at the railway station and town centre support park‑and‑ride and multi‑modal commuting, with public EV chargers available at some locations.

Major Highways
- A7 - Principal north–south trunk road through Galashiels, connecting the town to Edinburgh to the north and Carlisle/the English border to the south.
- A72 - East–west regional route linking Galashiels with Peebles and providing further connections westwards into the Scottish Lowlands.
- A6091 - Local arterial/distributor route serving Galashiels, providing town centre access and links between the A7, A72 and surrounding communities.
- A68 (accessible via regional links) - Reachable through the local road network for routes toward Dalkeith and the north‑east; used as an alternative corridor in the wider Borders area.
- B‑roads and rural routes - A network of B‑class roads connects Galashiels to smaller Borders villages and scenic rural destinations; important for local access though not designed for high‑speed through traffic.

Cycling Infrastructure
- On‑road and off‑road cycle network - A mix of on‑street cycle lanes, traffic‑calmed town centre streets and off‑road multi‑use paths around Galashiels (including links to the railway station and nearby Tweed Valley routes); supported by local active‑travel work and cycle parking at key locations.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Borders Railway reopening (2015) - Restoration of passenger rail services to the Borders (including Galashiels/Tweedbank) which significantly improved commuting and public transport connectivity to Edinburgh.
- Station and service enhancements - Ongoing improvements to station facilities, parking and cycle storage and timetable refinements to better serve commuters and leisure travellers.
- Active travel investments - Local and national funding programmes have supported new/extended walking and cycling routes, town centre traffic‑calming and signage to encourage sustainable travel within Galashiels.
- EV charging and fleet modernisation - Installation of public EV chargers in town and gradual modernisation of local bus fleets to lower emissions and improve local air quality.
- Rail extension proposals and feasibility work - Periodic feasibility studies and political discussion regarding potential extensions of the Borders Railway further south (toward Hawick/Carlisle); any extension would require detailed planning and funding decisions.
- Targeted road safety and maintenance schemes - Continued council programmes for resurfacing, junction improvements and safety works on the A7/A72 corridors and local roads to improve reliability and reduce congestion.