HAWICK is the biggest town in the Scottish Borders . It lies on the River Teviot where it is joined by the Slitrig Water . The power its rivers provided was central to the growth of the town.
Hawick dates back to a settlement founded by the Angles in the 600s. In the 1100s the Lovells, a Norman family, built a large motte here as the base for their wooden castle. The town later suffered significantly in the cross border wars between England and Scotland in the 1300s, 1400s and 1500s.
In 1513 most of the town's men of fighting age were killed at the Battle of Flodden. The following year the town was threatened by a raiding party of English troops. They were fought off by the boys, or "callants" of the town, who captured the English flag.
This event is commemorated by a statue of a horse and rider at the north east end of the High Street: and by the annual "Common Riding", in which several hundred riders gather to ride around the boundaries of the burgh. This takes place in early June each year.
Hawick's story for the last few hundred years has revolved around textiles. This started with hand knitting of hose (socks) in the 1600s: spun wool and linen was also produced at an early date. In the 1700s hand power was largely replaced by water power and a complex arrangement of sluices and lades (culverts) was constructed to provide the town's 50 textile mills with enough water to keep them working.
By 1800 up to 3000 people were employed in Hawick producing hosiery, carpets and other linen and woollen goods. During the second half of the 1800s steam power began to replace water power and the size and number of mills grew. Amongst those to set up in Hawick during this period were John and Robert Pringle, whose name is now recognised across the globe: as is that of Lyle & Scott, who appeared on the Hawick scene in 1874.
Hawick lost its railway in 1969, though in recent years a vigorous campaign has developed to rebuild the link to Edinburgh as the Borders Railway.
These days, most visitors come to Hawick while travelling the A7 from Carlisle to Edinburgh, or to take advantage of the deals in the various textile factory shops in the town. Given its industrial background, it is easy to approach Hawick with low expectations. The reality turns out to be a very pleasant surprise. What you find is an interesting and attractive town with an imposing High Street, a spectacular Town Hall, and a collection of paths and wynds that more.