Old Gala House facts for kids
Old Gala House is a historic building in Galashiels, Scottish Borders, Scotland. It was once a family home, but now it's a museum and a place for events. You can find it in the older part of Galashiels.
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The Story of Old Gala House
Old Gala House was first built a long, long time ago, in 1457. It started as a strong tower house. The Hoppringill (Pringle) family built it. They were given the land by the Earl of Douglas.
Growing the Family Home
Over the years, the house got bigger. In 1583, Andrew Hoppringill made many improvements. He added more parts to the house for his family. Then, in 1611, it was expanded even more.
In 1635, Andrew moved to another family home called Smailholm Tower. His daughter, Jean, married Hugh Scott that same year. A special painting on the ceiling, found in 1952, celebrates their marriage.
Hugh Scott became the new owner, or laird. He also made the house better and added more rooms. The house continued to grow in the 1600s and 1700s. This is how it became the large building we see today. It has five sections and is shaped like a "U". It's made of stone and has beautiful gardens around it.
From Home to Museum
For many years, Old Gala House was a family home. But in 1872, Hugh Scott, who was the 9th owner named Hugh Scott, asked a famous architect named David Bryce to design a new house.
When the new house was ready, the family moved out of Old Gala House. The new house was later taken down in 1985. Around that time, the Scottish Borders Council fixed up Old Gala House. They turned it into the museum and event place it is today.
What Happens at the House Today?
Today, Old Gala House is a busy place. It's a museum where you can learn about the past. It's also a conference centre, which means people can hold meetings there. The local university uses it for graduation ceremonies. Many other events, like weddings, also take place there. The house even keeps important old family records for the Borders Family History Society.
