Hawick
Apart from a lack of motor vehicles and the period dress
the view along Hawick High Street differs little from this postcard.
| Names | |
| Gaelic Scots |
(not applicable) (as English) |
| Statistics | |
| Population |
14,801 (2001 census) |
| Location |
|
| OS grid
reference |
Maps for NT505155 |
| Administration | |
| Council area Country |
Scottish Borders Scotland |
| Police force Lieutenancy area Former county |
Lothian and Borders Police Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale Roxburghshire |
| Communications | |
| Post town Postal District Dialling code |
HAWICK TD9 01450 |
| Politics | |
| Scottish Parliament Westminster Parliament European Parliament |
Roxburgh and Berwickshire Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk Scotland |
Hawick (pronounced "Hoi-ck") is a town in the Scottish Borders in the south east of Scotland. It is most well-known for its annual Common Riding, which also commemorates a victory of local youths over an English raiding party in 1514.
It is one of the furthest towns from the sea in Scotland, in the heart of Teviotdale and the largest town in the former county of Roxburghshire. It is also known for quality knitwear production and as the home of Hawick Rugby Football Club, one of the world's oldest and most famous sides.
People from Hawick call themselves "Teri"s, after a traditional song which includes the line "Teribus y Teriodin", which may refer to Anglo Saxon gods.
Hawick lies in the valley of the Teviot at the point the River Slitrig joins it. The A7 Edinburgh to Carlisle road passes through the town, with main roads also leading to Kelso and Newcastle. The town lost its rail service in 1969, but there is a regular bus service to the railway station at Carlisle, 50 miles away. The nearest airports are at Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Rivalry between the small Border towns is generally played out on the Rugby field and the comical historical antagonism continues to this day, Hawick's main rival being the similarly-sized town of Galashiels.
The Hawick ‘Ba game’
The long forgotten Hawick Ba game was played here by the 'uppies' and the 'doonies' on the first Monday after the new moon in the month of February. The river of the town formed an important part of the pitch. Although the Ba game is no longer played at Hawick, it is still played at nearby Jedburgh.
Now long forgotten,
Hawick Ba' being played in 1904.
| Teri Talk
- Local people have a very distinctive dialect: |
|||
| local pronounciation | local pronounciation | ||
| Hawick | Haw-eek | One |
Yin |
| More |
Mair |
Two |
Twae |
| Me |
Mei |
Town |
Toon |
| Doing |
Daenin |
Doesn't |
Disnae |
| Don't |
Dinnae
or deh |
Know |
Ken |
| You |
Yow |
You |
Can
also be "ee", as in, "what are ee dain (doing)", or "how are ee dain") |
Below
derived from various Hawick related websites:
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
Hawick has had its ups and downs. The heydays when Bailie Hardie brought the first stocking machines to the town, through the Victorian years which saw the inauguration of many historical, political and cultural clubs. The founding of `The Hawick Working Men's Building and Investment Coy., Ltd.' was responsible for building quality homes not seen in any other part of the country.
The overcrowded tenements came down and Hawick could boast of many modern amenities (some near-by towns didn't even have sewerage facilities!). Hawick has endured the decline of the manufacturing industry; who would ever have thought that Hawick would suffer because of a `Banana War'. It has almost lost its title of the largest town in the Borders, only because Tweedbank's population is included with Galashiels.. Tweedbank ironically was the inception of the old Hawick Town Council. But through it all Hawick still stands defiant, proud of its heritage, strong in its community.
It has sent its people into the world with bold independence, with Border intrepidity to conquer new lands with open hearts and minds.
“Oceans
may sever our sons from their native land,
Firm beats their hearts for the homes of the free,
Leaps still the Hawick blood, free as the gushing flood,
Unstemm'd as the torrents that rush to the sea.”
Firm beats their hearts for the homes of the free,
Leaps still the Hawick blood, free as the gushing flood,
Unstemm'd as the torrents that rush to the sea.”
Iain H Scott - Scocha 1
December 2001
The
Hawick Common-Riding Summary
The Hawick Common-Riding is the first of the Border festivals and celebrates both the capture of an English Flag in 1514 by the youth of Hawick at a place called Hornshole and the ancient custom of riding the marches or boundaries of the common land.
The Cornet for the year is elected at the beginning of May, well in advance of the festival proper, when the Provost's Council, on the recommendation of the two previous Cornets (called the Right and Left-Hand Men) invites a young man to act as Cornet. The Halberdier, accompanied by the Drum and Fife Band, carries an official letter of invitation to the nominated Cornet. Invitation accepted, the Officer is rewarded with a new “shilling” and asked to carry the Cornet's letter of acceptance back to the waiting Council. Afterwards the Cornet with his two predecessors walk round the older parts of the town before attending a congratulatory Smoker. From then until the festival is over the Cornet is an honoured figure in Hawick. The first recorded Cornet was in 1703 and other than the World Wars there has been an unbroken line to the present day.
In the weeks preceding the actual Common-Riding, on each Saturday and Tuesday, the Cornet and his supporters are out on their ride-outs in the course of which they visit surrounding villages and farms. The main ride-out, however, usually two weeks before the Common-Riding weekend, is the twenty-four mile ride to Mosspaul and back.
While returning from the rideout on the Saturday before the Common-Riding the principals visit the Hornshole Lest We Forget Memorial to salute the memory of the youth of 1514.
On the Thursday evening of the week preceding the Common-Riding, the first of the Cornet's Chases takes place up a hill called the Nipknowes on the way to St. Leonards Farm where a local caterer is asked to prepare the customary dish of “curds and cream” in readiness as a refreshment during the actual riding of the marches. This marks the end of the preliminary procedure.
The Common-Riding proper takes place in June on a Friday and Saturday. It had been the invariable practice to hold the riding of the marches on the last Friday in May, but the adoption by this country of the Gregorian Calendar, which removed eleven days from the year, forced the festival into June.
This important week begins on the Sunday with the Kirkin' o' the Cornet during a service in the church of which he is a member. This is preceded by the Cornet's Church Parade in which the principals, together with the followers, walk from the Council Chambers to the church.
In the afternoon the Cornet's Lass with the Lasses of the two previous Cornets travel to the Hornshole Memorial and lay a wreath.
THURSDAY
Following Chases on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings of Common-Riding week the second major Chase takes place on the Thursday morning when the Cornet carries the unbussed Flag for the first time. After breakfast the Principals visit the local schools where, after a rapturous welcome, the Cornet requests the Head Teacher to proclaim a holiday for the rest of the day and the next. This is of course granted and the children and assembled parents join with the riders in singing the festival songs.
During Common-Riding Week large numbers of “exiled Teries” return to their home town from all over the world to join in the festivities and renew old friendships. To mark the occasion the Council hold a reception where they are officially welcomed by the Provost and the Cornet and are entertained.
One of the most impressive and colourful of all the festival ceremonies, the Colour Bussing, takes place on the Thursday evening in the Town Hall. The Provost and Magistrates are played into a packed Hall by the Drum and Fife Band. Then come the Lasses with the Maids of Honour. The Cornet's Lass carries the Flag to the front of the Hall. She mounts the platform with her attendants and “busses” the Flag by tying ribbons of blue and gold to the head of the staff. This is symbolic of the days when women, as a sign of affection, bedecked their loved ones before going off to battle. The Lass then hands the Flag to the Provost.
The Cornet with the Right and Left-Hand Men, who have been guarded by halberdiers in 18th century dress, now come forward. The Provost, after congratulating the Lass, passes the Flag into the Cornet's keeping, reminding him that it is “the embodiment of all the traditions that are our glorious heritage”. The Cornet is charged to ride the marches of the commonty of Hawick according to ancient custom and return the Flag “unsullied and unstained” at the conclusion of the ceremonies. There follows an oration by a distinguished guest and song-singing.
Immediately following the Colour Bussing the Halberdier appears on the balcony of the Town Hall and reads to the crowds below the Proclamation calling on the burgesses to “ride the meiths and marches of the commonty”.
Then begins the Cornet's Walk round the town with his supporters, preceded by the Saxhorn and Drum and Fife Bands. He first makes his way along the main street to the “Horse” where he busses the flag of the equestrian statue commemorating Hornshole, as a tribute to his centuries old predecessor, in front of dense, enthusiastic crowds.
FRIDAY
At 6.00 a.m., the following morning, Common-Riding day proper, the Drum and Fife Band set off to rouse the town. Presently a large crowd assembles at Towerdykeside for a curious ceremony called the Snuffin', when snuff is dispensed from an old horned mull amid much jostling and pushing. After the melee, packets of snuff are thrown from a window; the crowd soon dispersing to the surrounding hostelries for the traditional refreshment of rum and milk before breakfast.
The Cornet and his supporters, married and unmarried, breakfast together in a local hotel, while the Provost entertains colleagues and guests to breakfast in the Town Hall. Afterwards oak leaves are distributed and this is followed by the singing of the “Old Song” at the door of the Tower Hotel, each of the Principals taking it in turn to sing verses.
Afterwards the Principals, followed by a huge number of followers - sometimes as many as 300, mount their horses and set off in a procession round the town and on to the Nipknowes where the main chase of the festival takes place. Firstly the Acting Father followed by the married supporters gallops up the hill. The Cornet, with the Flag held high, gallops up the hill followed by the unmarried supporters. At its conclusion the Cornet's Acting Father in his capacity as Acting Senior Magistrate takes the Flag and carries it to St. Leonards to the song and toast session in the Hut–the Curds and Cream Repast.
The Chase could represent the youths of Hawick returning in triumph from the battle of Hornshole proudly following the captured Flag to the cheers of the local people. Alternatively it could symbolise the townspeople chasing off unauthorised users of the Town's Common.
After leaving the Hut and singing “Teribus” in front of the farmhouse the riders set off via Williestruther Loch and Acreknowe Reservoir for the serious business of riding the marches making their way to the extremity of the Common–the corner of a field where the Cornet dismounts and ceremoniously “Cuts the Sod” to mark the boundary as ancient custom demanded.
They then make their way to the race-course where the Cornet rides the course and then places the Flag on the roof of the committee room before being presented with a riding-crop as a memento of his term of office. After a programme of horse-racing the company remounts and proceeds by way of Crumhaughhill to Myreslawgreen to complete their riding of the boundaries. At Myreslawgreen the riders receive refreshments and wait while the Principals proceed to the Coble Pool in the River Teviot, where they enter the water. The Cornet lowers the staff of the Flag three times into the water to mark the ancient boundary of the Burgh.
On their return to the main party the procession moves to Millpath where a proclamation is made to the effect that the marches have been duly ridden, without interruption or molestation of any kind. This is followed by an enthusiastic rendering of “Teribus” which gives this ceremony its name - the Song Singing. The Drum and Fife Band play the party on foot back to the Town Hall where the Flag is returned temporarily to the Council Chambers, where it is displayed from the balcony.
Later in the evening the Cornet attends the Common-Riding Dinner and is presented with his official Cornet's Medal, commemorative of his year in office, and the spirit of the Riding is renewed in toast, song and story. An honoured place is given to a toast “The Memory of Drumlanrig”, the generous donor of the “Common” which every Hawick Callant along with his “rights” will surely “aye defend”. The climax of the festival has been reached.
Then on to the Common-Riding Ball. Reels and country dances are prominent and at midnight the Cornet's Reel, which is confined to the Cornet, ex-Cornets and the Lasses, is danced with considerable enthusiasm. The dancing continues through the night. As dawn approaches the revellers, headed by the Cornet, climb to the summit of the Moat Hill to greet the rising sun with another rendering of “Teribus”. On returning to Tower Knowe the Principals dance a final reel before getting some well earned rest.
SATURDAY
The Saturday proceedings bring the festival to a close. The town is again roused by the Drum and Fife Band and by 9.30 a.m. the riders are once more saddled and bridled for another procession. They ride first to Wilton Lodge Park where after standing in their stirrups and singing “Teribus” at the end of the Avenue, the principals lay wreaths of remembrance on the town's War Memorial. The procession then heads for the Moor where horse races are again held.
On the Cornet's return, his official duties end when he ceremoniously returns the Flag to the Provost in the Council Chambers. The Provost accepts the return of the Flag, congratulates the Cornet on his conduct and thanks him for the satisfactory carrying out of his duties. The Cornet finally displays the Flag on the balcony overlooking the High Street and the Saxhorn Band play a hymn-like tune called the “invocation”. The mounted supporters stand in their stirrups as if to attention to mark the successful conclusion of another Common-Riding.
In the evening there is the Greeting' Dinner - an informal occasion when the company bid farewell to the Left-Hand Man, who as Cornet of two years ago, is wearing his uniform for the last time. Afterwards the guests and principals make their customary tour of the fairground in the Haugh.
From
the Tourist Board
Hawick and surrounding area
Hawick, the largest of the Border towns, is part of The Cashmere Trail
and the major centre for the industry in the Scottish Borders.
You will find big names and smaller designers in the many specialist
shops throughout the region. If you want to see how it is all
done, you can see garments in progress at the Hawick Cashmere Company
and get the inside story on textile production at Peter Scott and
Co. and Wrights of Trowmill. Buy designer knitwear from the
Pringle of Scotland factory shop.Hawick and surrounding area
'The Horse' at the end of the High Street is the 1514 memorial. This impressive equestrian statue commemorates the victory of local youths over English invaders at nearby Hornshole in 1514. One of the oldest Border Common Ridings, held in early summer, honours this event where 'The Horse' becomes the centrepiece for this symbolic festival. Eexperience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the days of the Border Reivers when in March Hawick celebrates a well-known and romanticised period of history when the borderlands of Scotland and England were the home of cattle thieves and outlaws, men who lived by fire and steel, men known as the Border Reivers.
The pride and passion of the town is also shown on the rugby field where many of the local men take on the rest of the region as local followers faithfully support each weekend at the Mansfield Rugby Park. Legendary rugby commentator Bill McLaren is a proud Hawick man.
Drumlanrig's Tower is a romantic monument with a dark history, woven into the fabric of Hawick. A stronghold of cross-border warfare, its intriguing story unfolds as visitors are led through time from the middle ages to the Tower's eventual conversion into a gracious hotel in the 1930's. The Tower also incorporates the Information Centre. Hawick Museum and Scott Gallery reflects the town's history and hosts visiting exhibitions on any number of topics.
Get back to nature at Wilton Lodge Park in over 107 acres of riverside and tree-lined walks and recreational facilities. Teviotdale Leisure Centre provide year-round watery and other indoor distractions for all the family.
Nearest Tourist Information
Centre at Hawick, Selkirk & Jedburgh,
Information Service Tel: 0870 6080404
Email: bordersinfo@visitscotland.com
Information Service Tel: 0870 6080404
Email: bordersinfo@visitscotland.com
What they say
Culture
| Hawick Common Riding: | http://www.teribus.fsnet.co.uk |
| Hawick Common Riding | http://www.hawickcallantsclub.co.uk/commonriding.htm |
| Hawick’s Pipe Band | http://www.hawick42.freeserve.co.uk/ |
| Hawick Rugby Club: | http://www.hawickrfc.co.uk/ |
| Hawick High School | http://www.hawick.scotborders.sch.uk/ |
| Hawick Wanders Rugby Football Club | http://www.rushieknowe.freeserve.co.uk/ |
History
| Genealogical information about the town | http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/ROX/Hawick/ |
Travel
Information
| Tourist Guide: | http://www.scot-borders.co.uk/About/Hawick.htm |
| Travel Guide | http://www.destination-scotland.com/ guidetoscotland/town.asp?region=20&town=69 |
| Travel Guide Undiscovered Scotland | http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/hawick/hawick/index.html |
Retail Goods
| Cashmere Retailer | http://www.whiteofhawick.net/ |
What you say
See also: