The principal interest was that of the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch. The sitting Member Mark Pringle had a good interest and went along with the duke, as well as with Henry Dundas, so he was secure in his seat.
In 1804 it seemed likely that Buccleuch would put up Rutherfurd for Roxburghshire, and Lord Minto, who had a subsidiary interest in Selkirkshire, hoped the duke might invite his heir Gilbert Elliot, who would soon be of age, to represent the county. By April 1806 Minto feared that Rutherfurd’s transfer to the neighbouring county was intended to thwart his son’s pretensions, ‘for Selkirk certainly answered every other view completely’. He still hoped that Buccleuch might parley with him, particularly if he joined Minto in support of the Grenville ministry. That hope was disappointed. Lady Minto informed him, 25 Apr. 1806, ‘Barwickbrae is the candidate for Selkirkshire. I take it [Scott of] Harden would not come into their terms.’ Meanwhile, an unsigned invitation to the freeholders not to engage their votes appeared, and a few days later Lady Minto reported that she was informed that ‘Johnstone of Alva is a candidate for Selkirkshire and Mr Murray
Number of voters: 40 in 1790 reduced to 37 in 1811