Galashiels (/ˌɡæləˈʃiːəlz/; Scots: Gallae, Scottish Gaelic: An Geal Àth) is a town in the Scottish Borders with a population of around 12,600. Its name is often colloquially shortened to "Gala". The town is a major commercial centre for the Borders region with extensive history in the textile industry. Galashiels is the location of Heriot-Watt University's School of Textiles and Design