Peeblesshire (or Tweeddale), an inland co. in the SE. of Scotland, bounded N. and NE. by Edinburghshire, E. and SE. by Selkirkshire, S. by Dumfriesshire, and W. by Lanarkshire; greatest length, N. and S., 29 miles; greatest breadth, B. and W., 21 miles; area, 226,890 ac., pop. 13,822. From the narrow central valley of the Tweed the surface rises into hills and mountains, with fertile valleys or deep gorges between the ridges. (For agricultural statistics, see Appendix.) The hills for the most part are grassy and softly rounded. The highest summit is Broad Law, 2723 ft., near the S. border. The streams in the glens and valleys afford good angling. Blue clay slate has been extensively worked, limestone is abundant, and coal is mined to some extent in the N. of the co. Sheep-farming is the main industry. The woollen mfr. is carried on at Peebles, Innerleithen, and Walkerburn. The co. comprises 12 pars., with parts of 4 others, and the police burghs of Peebles and Innerleithen. It unites with Selkirkshire in returning 1 member to Parliament.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))