Peebles Gutterbluids Society was formed in 1974 by five like-minded individuals who considered that there was a need for a local action group to improve local amenities in and around the Royal Burgh of Peebles by carrying out the work themselves. During the years that the group has been in existence, thousands of voluntary hours by members and others giving assistance have been spent on a diverse range of projects, all aimed at maintaining or improving local amenities. This labour of love for their town and fellow townspeople has been carried out on an entirely voluntary basis right from the start of the Society’s activities and still remains so today, thirty-six years on. Membership has fluctuated, achieving a peak of around 22 members, but now reduced to nine, although other former members and volunteers turn out to assist with projects.

The word 'gutterblood' (Scot.) means 'a low born person', while the term 'gutterbluid', regarded by some as unique to Peebles, is used to describe one who was born in Peebles, often from a family whose forebears were in Peebles for several generations.

According to J. L. Brown and I. C. Lawson in their book, 'History of Peebles 1850 ~ 1990', it had been said that the nineteenth century was the century of the 'Gentlemen's Club' and certainly this could be true of Peebles. "In addition to the Gutterbluid Club formed in 1823, the following were active during the period: the Incomers Club, the Peeblesshire Society, the Edinburgh Peeblean Club and so on." The Gutterbluid Club survived until the outbreak of the First World War. It was resurrected in 1974 as the Peebles Gutterbluids Society.