Smailholm is a small village with around 35 dwellings and 100 people on the electoral roll, including the surrounding farms. The nearest shops and services are in Kelso, 6 miles away.
Despite its modest size, the village has many activities, mainly centred around the village hall (formerly the school, which closed in 1970), which was renovated with lottery funding in 1999. The Village Hall Committee and is a registered charity. There are regular classes in pilates, Qigong, art, a craft and chat group, a women’s book group, and other special events, at all of which people from others areas of the Borders and visitors are very welcome. The hall is available to hire for concerts, celebrations and other events.
Smailholm Church is Norman in origin but is no longer a consecrated building and has been sold privately. The ancient churchyard remains in the ownership of the Scottish Borders Council. The only retail outlet in the village is a family-owned gallery and working studio selling pottery, paintings, jewellery, screen prints and woodcraft.
Beside Sandyknowe Farm, where Sir Walter Scott spent many of his childhood years, is the historic Smailholm Tower, a 14th Century Border Reiver stronghold. It was here he learned the power of Border history. The tower is roofed and floored and is open to the public under the auspices of Historic Environment Scotland.
Here is the link to our Village Hall Website
– smailholm-village.org.uk
