Hawick  

One of the best bases for exploring Border history. 

Hawick is an attractive town with much to offer.

The old part of the town can be located at the confluence of the Teviot and the Slitrig where the sharp angle of the two rivers provided a strong defensive position offering protection on two sides by the rivers. On the third more vulnerable side was built a rampart and a stockade. 
The name Hawick indeed means an entrenched settlement.

The old bridge was regarded with much affection. Dating from the 12th century the bridge crossed the Slitrig about opposite the church, at a point where the river narrows with rocky banks on either side. It had a single arch and was wide enough to accommodate wheeled traffic. The story is that it was built to allow the wealthy to cross as the poorer people could usually find a way to cross barefooted.

The Auld Brig, as it was called, was demolished in 1851.

Nearby is a deep pool which may have been used as a drowning pool or 'murder hole.'. This method of disposing of prisoners was certainly used at Hawick. It was a cheap method of execution. Rope was expensive.

Many of the houses of Hawick were built with thick stone walls for defence.

When threatened, they would take their more vulnerable relatives, animals and goods to a safe place.

In the 17th century, as the dangers receded, security gave way to convenience and comfort. Staircases, often external, were built. A start was made paving the streets and other amenities were introduced.

In the middle of the 18th century Hawick was still quite a small place and the only stone roofed building was the Tower.

At the market cross proclamations were made and it was here that public punishment in the stocks was served.

There is a large car park with toilets to the north of the bridge.

Hawick is noted for its woollen goods and there are many factory outlets in the town and nearby.

 

Drumlanrig Tower
 

Two of the dominant families in the Hawick area were both Kers. 
The Kers, Lothian branch, were based at Ferniehirst Castle and the Kers of Roxburghe had their home at Cessford Castle.

There are various forms of the spelling, Kerr, Ker, and Carr, and others.

At Hawick July 1562, twenty two reivers were drowned in the Teviot in deep pools in the river known as ‘murder holes.’ 

Drownings were cheaper than hangings as rope had to be paid for.

There are records of rope being purchased specifically for the purpose of execution and the cost of the purchases noted.

However, mass hangings did take place. 36 Armstrongs were hanged together and on another occasion 28 reivers were drowned in the Teviot.

The castle at Branksome is generally acknowledged as being the ancient home of the Scots  of Buccleuch.  It stands on a slightly elevated position commanding the approaches to the valley.  It was the main stronghold of the number of defensive towers.  For generations the lords of Branksome waged intermittent war against the southern neighbors. There is little of the original castle left the building is now in private hands.

(pronounced Bucklew, the accent on the ‘lew’).


Located south west of Hawick to the right of the A7. 
A Border stronghold with strong associations with the Scotts. 
It was built by Sir Walter Scott (not THE Sir Walter Scott, an earlier one) in the mid 
15th century, and he established it as his home. However, he retained his titular link with his stronghold a few miles away, and became known as Scott of Buccleuch,

The pile, built in the 15th century, was of considerable strength.  Initially, the estate belonged to the Lovells before it passed to the Scots who then acquired the name Buccleuch. The story goes that the king while hunting in Ettrick Forest so a buck enter a deep ravine at Cacra Cross.  The trapped buck turned to challenge its pursuers and the young man named John Scott rushed at the enraged animal and grabbed it by the antlers and swung it on to his back and took it to his king.  The ravine was named Buck-cleuch and John was designated the name John Scott of Buccleuch. However, it was not until 1426 that a descendant, Sir Walter Scott, was the first of the family to be styled Buccleuch. Sir Walter was a staunch supporter of the Crowns and as a reward he received grants of land thus attaining a position of great power and distinction.  Scottish daughter, Janet, married a Douglas thus forming the first alliance between the two powerful families.

It was the rescue of Kinmont Willie from Carlisle Castle that spread the fame of the name Buccleuch far and wide.

In 1606 Scott was raised to the peerage.  After his death the last of the lying was laid to rest in St. Mary's Church Hawick.  The tower still remains in the family.  It has been repaired and restored and incorporated into place of residence.

Read the story of the capture and release of Kinmont Willie by Buccleuch and his men by clicking HERE.

Goldielands was one of two adjacent towers one of which was demolished but the site can still be seen.

The tower is associated with the Goldies and the Scotts. In the 16th century it belonged to a branch of the Scots of Branksome.

According to tradition the last laird off Goldielands was hanged over his own gateway for dabbling in Border reiving.

The Hornshole Incident

The monument at Hornshole.

The Callants of Hawick

The Battle of Flodden (1513) virtually wiped out the cream of the Scots army, both men and leaders. Some reports state that of the eighty men who left Hawick to fight none returned.

Early the next year the people of Hawick heard that a body of English soldiers were making their way towards Hawick posing a positive threat to the town. There were no men left to take up arms and the situation was serious. Then the youths and boys of the town assembled, grabbed whatever arms they could and made off to meet the approaching enemy.

They came upon the English at Hornshole less than a mile east of Hawick, resting, without guards. The young men rushed to the attack and, taking the English by surprise, slew them all. They returned to Hawick triumphant with a captured English flag and as much booty as they could carry.

They were greeted with wild acclamation as the saviours of  the town. As it was customary in those days for young men in their mid teens to go to battle these particular youngsters must have been very young.

A monument has been erected in memory of their bravery and the action is remembered and celebrated in Hawick every year.

Celebration of the Hornshole incident features in the Hawick Riding which take place in June of each year.

Map ref: 79 534168