The transfer of out-patient clinics began on March 21, 1988, and the transfer of in-patient services took place between April 18-21. It was dubbed by local reporters as the biggest flitting the area had ever seen.
The BGH – often referred to in its early days as Huntlyburn after the site on which was built – was officially opened by the Queen on July 1, 1988.
Here, she tours the children's ward. Looking on, right, is the late John Gibb, a Peebles solicitor who was chairman of Borders Health Board.
Peel House was made available by Lord and Lady Craigmyle initially to Edinburgh Corporation as a convalescent maternity home, but at the outbreak of war was designated to cater for civilian victims of air raids. The number of patients referred to Peel – now expanded by a collection of wooden huts – was lower than expected and it was given over to military casualties.
It served as such throughout the war – it's first military patient was Jim Templeton who had been knocked unconscious by the door of an ambulance.
Peel – and its dedicated staff – then served the Borders public as its general hospital until 1988.