Understanding Scottish Places

Kelso, Scottish Borders

Population 5,639

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Kelso is located in Scottish Borders. It was the site of a 12th century Benedictine abbey and an important religious centre until the Reformation. Traditional industries were shoemaking, brewing and textiles. As a bridging point on the River Tweed it became a market town with a livestock market and agricultural services. Names such as Woodmarket and Horsemarket reflect this. Today there are some light industries including a soft drinks wholesaler and a manufacturer of plastic tanks. The town retains its role as a market and service centre.

In this medium town, population includes older people, some still in work often in less well paid sectors. It also includes a significant inactive population, some in poorer health. There is a higher proportion of single households and car ownership is lower.

Kelso is an independent town.

Its most similar towns are Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright, Kirkwall, and Lerwick.

To gain more insight into Kelso, compare it to any of the other towns included in USP.

Inter-relationships

Dependent
Interdependent
Independent

Number of jobs

6
Type average 5

Diversity of jobs

2
Type average 3

Distance travelled to work

2
Type average 4

Number of public sector jobs

2
Type average 3

Number of hospitals

2
Type average 3

Number of GP's and dentists

4
Type average 5

Number of children in primary schools

6
Type average 3

Number of children in secondary schools

2
Type average 3

Distance travelled to study

4
Type average 5

Number of shops

6
Type average 6

Diversity of retail offer

4
Type average 3

Number of charities

Type average 6
Dependent
Interdependent
Independent

Change

Public

Education (% all people aged 16 and over)

  No education Standard grade or equivalent Higher grade or equivalent HNC, HND, SVQ4 Degree or higher degree
Kelso 20.91342205 21.30770494 11.10563496 21.48841794 25.18482011

Commercial

Distance travelled to study

  At home Up to 5km 5 to 10km 10 to 30km 30km and over
Kelso 2.695513388898741 11.917006561447065 0.07093456286575633 1.471892179464444 0.9398829579712715

Connectivity and environment assets

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Footnotes