Celebrating Gala’s Success: Awards, Accolades & a Milestone Year

Galashiels has plenty to celebrate this month, with achievements that highlight the town’s talent, creativity, and community spirit. From award-winning food and drink to world-class visitor attractions and a major transport milestone, these successes showcase Gala’s pride and momentum.

1953 – SPICE Scotland Success

Local favourite 1953 has been highly commended at the SPICE Scotland Awards, which celebrate the very best of Asian and Indian cuisine across the country. It’s a well-deserved recognition of the team’s dedication and outstanding food.

They shared their thanks: “A huge thank you to all our amazing voters, loyal supporters, and our dedicated team for helping us win the Spice Award 2025! We’re truly grateful for the love and encouragement that made this achievement possible. This award belongs to all of you as much as it does to us.”

The Great Tapestry of Scotland – Travelers’ Choice Recognition

The Great Tapestry of Scotland has earned Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice status, placing it among the top 10% of visitor attractions worldwide and because this award is based entirely on guest reviews, it’s a particularly special recognition of the exceptional experience delivered right here in Galashiels.

Borders Railway – 10 Years On

This month also marked a significant milestone for the Borders Railway. On the 6^th of September 2015, the first passenger services ran on the reopened line between Tweedbank and Edinburgh. A decade on, the town celebrated the 10th anniversary, honouring not only the return of trains to the Scottish Borders but also the positive impact the Waverley line has brought to local people and businesses. Looking ahead, there’s excitement for the continued growth and opportunities the railway will deliver.

TIJ Barbers Fly the Flag for the UK

TIJ Barbers are putting Galashiels on the international stage this month. 18-year-old Francesco Caterino will represent the UK at the CMC World Barber Championships in London, alongside colleagues Patrycja Musial and Lucy Martin, competing against barbers from 50 nations. His father, Luigi Caterino – already a multi-award-winning barber – will then head to Milan to contest one of the industry’s most prestigious titles at the Invisionary World Awards. It’s a proud moment for the Caterino family, their team, and for Galashiels as they showcase local talent on a world stage.

Together, these achievements reflect the spirit of Galashiels. If you’ve got good news to share - awards, achievements, or anniversaries - we’d love to help celebrate it. Just get in touch with Mags and we’ll spread the word.