Hawick is a small town in the Scottish Borders, midway along the historic route from Carlisle to Edinburgh. It's pronounced hoick, one syllable, like the act of kicking a rugby ball high into the air. Several townsfolk have proved adept at doing so but Hawick's best-loved contributor to rugby, Bill McLaren (1923-2010), found fame as a commentator after illness ended his playing career. The town was also the birthplace in 1940 of the yachtsman Chay Blyth.
Hawick grew up as a textile town on the River Teviot, which flows northeast to join the Tweed. From linen it moved on to knitware, first practical tweeds then high-end cashmere and merino. This enabled it to survive the 20th century decline of the UK textile industry, but in recent years the luxury trade has also collapsed, and the town lost major employers such as Pringle. Other Border towns have been boosted by the re-opening of the railway, becoming commuter towns for Edinburgh, but Hawick is too far out to benefit. The main reason to come is to explore the hills and forests above the town.
- Borders Textile Towerhouse, 1 Tower Knowe TD9 9EN, +44 1450 377615. Apr-Oct M-Sa 10:00-16:30, Su 12:00-15:00; Nov-Mar M-Sa 10:00-16:00. Small museum within the Drumlanrig Tower tells the story of the region’s textile heritage. Free.
- Hawick Museum, Wilton Lodge Park TD9 7JL. Apr-Sep M-F 10:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00, Sa Su 14:00-17:00; Oct-Mar M-F 12:00-15:00, Su 13:00-15:00. Art gallery and museum in Wilton Lodge, an 18th century mansion house. The museum has town history and an exhibition on motorcycling champions Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop. Free.
- Hawick Mote. is the scrappy remnant of a Norman motte-and-bailey fortification.
Borders Textile Towerhouse, 1 Tower Knowe TD9 9EN, +44 1450 377615. Apr-Oct M-Sa 10:00-16:30, Su 12:00-15:00; Nov-Mar M-Sa 10:00-16:00. Small museum within the Drumlanrig Tower tells the story of the region’s textile heritage. Free.
Hawick Museum, Wilton Lodge Park TD9 7JL. Apr-Sep M-F 10:00-12:00 & 13:00-17:00, Sa Su 14:00-17:00; Oct-Mar M-F 12:00-15:00, Su 13:00-15:00. Art gallery and museum in Wilton Lodge, an 18th century mansion house. The museum has town history and an exhibition on motorcycling champions Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop. Free.
Hawick Mote. is the scrappy remnant of a Norman motte-and-bailey fortification.
- Watch Rugby Union at Hawick RUFC, who play in the Premiership, the top tier of Scottish rugby. Their home ground is Mansfield Park, Hawick TD8 8AW, on the north bank of the river. The Hawick Sevens tournament is played here - the next is probably 8 Aug 2020 but tbc.
- Hike in the surrounding hills and lonely forests of Ettrick. Walk Highlands suggest a dozen trails, including the Southern Upland Way.
- Hawick Common Riding is the ancient custom of "beating the bounds". There are civic parades and mass "ride-outs" of hundreds of riders cross-country. It's traditionally held around the Friday that follows the first Monday in June. The next is expected to be 4-6 June 2020 but tbc.
Watch Rugby Union at Hawick RUFC, who play in the Premiership, the top tier of Scottish rugby. Their home ground is Mansfield Park, Hawick TD8 8AW, on the north bank of the river. The Hawick Sevens tournament is played here - the next is probably 8 Aug 2020 but tbc.
Hike in the surrounding hills and lonely forests of Ettrick. Walk Highlands suggest a dozen trails, including the Southern Upland Way.
Hawick Common Riding is the ancient custom of "beating the bounds". There are civic parades and mass "ride-outs" of hundreds of riders cross-country. It's traditionally held around the Friday that follows the first Monday in June. The next is expected to be 4-6 June 2020 but tbc.
- Sainsbury's is on the main road west of the river, with a filling station. There's a Spar on Dickson St, 200 yards north.
- The Bourtree, 22 Bourtree Place TD9 9HL. Daily 08:00-00:00, food until 22:00. JD Wetherspoon's pub with meals, in the former Conservative Club built in 1897.
- Damascus Drum, 2 Silver St TD9 0AD, +44 7707 856123. M-Sa 10:00-17:00. Peaceful cafe and bookshop in quiet alley just off main road.
- Along the main strip between those two are Sanghatpur Gate, Le 2016, Brodie's and Adam's Kitchen, with Santa Marina on riverside and Gino's just over the bridge.
The Bourtree, 22 Bourtree Place TD9 9HL. Daily 08:00-00:00, food until 22:00. JD Wetherspoon's pub with meals, in the former Conservative Club built in 1897.
Damascus Drum, 2 Silver St TD9 0AD, +44 7707 856123. M-Sa 10:00-17:00. Peaceful cafe and bookshop in quiet alley just off main road.
- As well as The Bourtree there are Drumlanrig Bar and Stag's Head at the south end of town.
Decent mobile signal in town, but don't be relying on it in the hills and forests south and west.