Selkirk mail

The Selkirk Mail!

The Selkirk Mail was a historic stagecoach service that operated in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, England, from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It was a vital transportation link between the towns of Selkirk, Hawick, and Jedburgh in Scotland, and the English towns of Newcastle and Carlisle.

The Selkirk Mail was established in the 1630s and was initially a weekly service, carrying mail, passengers, and goods between the towns. The coaches were drawn by four to six horses and traveled along a route that followed the River Tweed, which forms the border between Scotland and England.

The service was known for its reliability and punctuality, with coaches departing and arriving at regular intervals. The mail was carried in a special compartment at the front of the coach, while passengers and goods were accommodated in the rear.

The Selkirk Mail played a significant role in the economic and social development of the region, facilitating trade, commerce, and communication between the towns and cities. It also provided a vital link for travelers, including merchants, traders, and tourists, who used the service to travel between Scotland and England.

The Selkirk Mail continued to operate until the mid-19th century, when the introduction of the railways and improved road infrastructure made the stagecoach service redundant. Today, the legacy of the Selkirk Mail lives on as a reminder of the region's rich history and its importance in the development of transportation and communication networks.