Map and Locations
The South of Scotland is a rural region spanning the two local authority regions of Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders. It covers more than 170 miles from east to west, and is home to over 260,000 people.
The South of Scotland has a population density of just 23 people per km2, many of them living in small towns and villages scattered across the region. Here, you’ll find market towns, coastal and river settlements, beautiful countryside and wildlife, cultural treasures, and a long history of trade and enterprise. On this page, you can find out more about our major towns and their populations.
Our Region and its Infrastructure
Filters:
South of Scotland
UK Cities
Roads & Rail
Ports & Airports
Major Towns in the region & THEIR POPULATION Numbers*
- Dumfries: 33,470
- Stranraer: 10,110
- Annan: 8760
- Lockerbie: 4190
- Dalbeattie: 4160
- Newton Stewart: 4030
- Castle Douglas: 4000
- Kirkcudbright: 3350
- Gretna: 3110
- Hawick: 10,630
- Galashiels: 10,060
- Peebles: 9000
- Kelso: 6870
- Selkirk: 4540
- Jedburgh: 3860
- Eyemouth: 3580
- Innerleithen: 3180
“Major” towns included are those with a population over 3000.
* National Records of Scotland – Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland.
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
- Dumfries & Galloway College (Dumfries Campus)
- Dumfries & Galloway College (Stranraer Campus)
- SRUC Barony
- University of the West of Scotland (Dumfries Campus)
- University of Glasgow (Dumfries Campus)
- The Open University (Active partnership at The Crighton Campus, Dumfries)
- Borders College (Galashiels Campus)
- Borders College (Hawick Campus)
- Borders College (Newtown St Boswells Campus)
- Borders College (Tweedbank Campus)
- Heriot-Watt University (Scottish Borders Campus)
- Napier University (Glentress – Research and Innovation)
