Across the Gala Water you can see the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Andrew. This church was completed in 1858 and extended in 1870. Inside the church, there is a side altar which is a memorial to the numerous Polish soldiers stationed in Galashiels during the Second World War. After the end of that conflict many chose to stay in the town and become part of the community.

Taking care, cross the road and walk behind the bus station, along the side of the Gala Water. Cross the Douglas Bridge over the water and walk through the shopping precinct to Channel Street, then turn right.

At the junction of Douglas Bridge and Channel Street on your right is a large red sandstone building - formerly the Douglas Hotel. This has recently been converted into private flats. Channel Street was resurfaced and paved by Scottish Borders Council in 1998 with grant aid from the European Union. From here to the western end of Channel Street was once called Tannage Street. The tannery which was located at the end of Channel Street needed a constant supply of water. After passing through the works, the water (known locally as the Tanny Burn) was allowed to run into a channel, hence the name of the street.

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