Peebles is an imperial burgh in Peeblesshire, of which it is the county town, within the Scottish Borders region. According to the 2011 census, the population was 8,376. The earliest structure in Peebles is the tower of St Andrew's Church. The church was founded in 1195. It was destroyed (along with lots of other Borders abbeys as well as abbeys) by the soldiers of Henry VIII. The rocks of the ruins were pilfered for lots of various other neighborhood buildings leaving only the tower standing among the gravestone of the churchyard. An additional old church in the community is the Cross Kirk, established in 1261. Although currently mostly ruins, the Cross Kirk plays a feature in the neighborhood festival. The yearly regional festival in Peebles is called the Beltane, and involves (similar to numerous Borders celebrations) a Typical Riding. The Beltane, declared at the cross, finishes with the crowning of the Beltane Queen (a girl chosen from one of 3 regional primary schools) along with her court, including the likes of the First and also Secondly Courtiers, Sword Bearer and Standard Bearer; on the steps in front of the parish church. The grown-up principal of the celebration is the Cornet, a regional young man chosen by the arranging committee on a basis of being considered worthy of standing for the town, who then carries the town requirement for a year. To the west of the town is Neidpath Castle, which can be gotten to walking via Hay Lodge Park, the route has views of the castle. The castle is currently closed to the general public. On the south side of High Street are the old burgh offices. These incorporate the town's collection, art gallery and local museum. The building inhabited by these are called the Chambers Institution, being deeded to the community by William Chambers, a participant of the Chambers posting family members that came from the town. Chambers' home can be found on the oldest street in Peebles-- Biggiesknowe. Peebles is no more attached to the railway network. In years past, the Symington, Biggar and also Broughton Train had lines that connected Peebles to Edinburgh and also Galashiels, with an items station and also Peebles and Peebles West stations. Historically Peebles and the Scottish boundaries have been the area of numerous fabrics businesses. Still today, March Street Mills is the place of Robert Noble in addition to its sibling business Replin Fabrics.