NB: Dirty means dirty, not just grubby!
Booked by phone, advised then that continental only, not "full" breakfast but not told no other food available at any time because kitchen in deplorable state, as licensee told us later.
Asked to pay eve before seeing room, but their card reader didn't work. Handrail up steep stairway wooden but black with years of greasy, sticky dirt.
Room: single-glazed windows overlooking busy street - putty was crumbling and black with dirt; carpet v dirty. Bath had been washed down but not cleaned, showerhead fell off, extractor fan didn't work at all, porcelain wc cistern lid had split in two and fell apart if touched - none of this good in an en suite facility. "This "family room" had one low-wattage table-lamp between us, low-energy ceiling light (switch across room from beds) and two large bunk beds received none of this scant illumination!
Sought evening meal in very nice restaurant in town, then, tired after long drive and a little wandering around the town, went to bed about 10 pm. Telly didn't work since region has switched to digital but hotel hadn't. Loud noise from downstairs bar grew increasingly more raucous - loud, interminable voices (male & female) punctuated by shrieks and bellows of laughter. So bad we decided if racket continued after 1am we'd pack up and sleep in the car if necessary, but noise ended as revellers left at 12.17 precisely. Neither of us had slept till then, and I for one so irritated I couldn't get to sleep till dozed off fitfully about 5am/
Apparently licensee from Birmingham had only taken over on the Sunday (our stay was on Thursday). He had years of licensed trade experience but NOT hotel experience. Went for continental breakfast (steppiing over trailing flexes as licensee engaged in running hoover over. Breakfast was good, it must be said (though we weren't offered the croissants other 4 guests had enjoyed until we were almost finished. Left 3/4 coffee as it was vile.
Breakfast attended by unshaven licensee in slightly soiled T-shirt. Complained to him about the noise till after midnight, and he blamed "the Scottish licensing laws".

In our opinion, this hotel should NOT be accepting guests before a really intensive clean-up. Our impression was that bar profits probably exceeded the admittedly low cost-per-room (£40) and this was what really mattered. It is currently being run as a drinking den, not as a hotel. 2 other guests from Manchester, other 2 German tourists. God knows what they made of this dirty shambles.

We booked a room for 2 nights through the hotels own website but were advised when we arrived that there was no room for us. We were then moved to the much nicer Selkirk Arms for one night but unfortunately had to return for the second night. The hotel and room was dated. We were shown to our room and it hadn't been cleaned yet. We vacated for cleaning and found that the bedlinen did not look to have been changed. Would never stay here again.

Stayed 2 nights at the Royal in August. Hotel in desperate need of a makeover and as such proved a little expensive for the quality. Staff were friendly if not that efficient. Excellent location in town centre and perfectly placed for exploring the surrounding countryside. Would recommend for short stay if only for the surrounding area.