Hawick tourist information

The largest town in the Scottish Borders, Hawick is a fine and attractive place to spend the day, with some handsome architecture and a lovely bridge over the River Teviot. The town hall in particular is an imposing, turreted building.

The town has ancient origins and was central to the cross border conflicts with England in the Middle Ages, and suffered losses at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. This was Border Reiver county, in a time of lawlessness by the 16th century, later romanticised. This long history is commemorated today in the annual Reivers' Festival in March and the Common Riding in June, when around 300 riders mark the boundary of the town.

Recent prosperity was built on the wool industry from the 17th century, with some of the most famous names in textiles starting life here, including John and Robert Pringle. Modern visitors can visit a number of knitware shops today such as Hawick Cashmere.

Hawick has a huge amount to see and do, and has also benefited from a large regeneration project in recent years. This has created new visitor attractions such as the Tower Mill, a renovated textile mill housing a cinema and theatre with cafe bar and a glass floor over its huge waterwheel, the Borders Textile Towerhouse museum, and the Heritage Hub.