Hawick has a long and colourful history which can be traced back to the 12th century, when King David I granted land to a Norman family, the Lovels. Today Hawick is part of the TextileTrail and the major centre for the industry in the Scottish Borders. The town therefore has many shops with a large selection of knitwear and cashmere.
Attractions include the Borders Textile Towerhouse in which the heritage of Scotland's premier textile manufacturing region is presented within a restored 16th-century tower house. Wilton Lodge Park, on the wooded banks of the River Teviot, has 107 acres of riverside and tree-lined walks, and a walled garden. The Hawick Museum and Scott Gallery detail the town's history and provide a venue for visiting exhibitions.
Hawick is also home to the recently opened Borders Distillery. Housed in a restored Victorian industrial building, it’s the first Scotch whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837.
'The Horse' at the end of the High Street commemorates the victory of local youths over English invaders at nearby Hornshole in 1514. During the skirmish, the Abbot's banner was taken and triumphantly carried back to Hawick. One of the oldest Border Common Ridings, held in early summer, honours this event where 'The Horse' becomes the centrepiece for this symbolic festival. Other events in the town include the Summer Festival and the Hawick Reivers Festival.
If you fancy exploring a little further afield take a trip to the Ale Water Valley, which is located between the historic towns of Selkirk, Hawick and Jedburgh. You’ll find lots of outdoor activities to take part in, such as cycling, horse riding, golf and more, as well as plenty of charming pubs, cafés and restaurants, where you can enjoy a tasty bite to eat.
