Located at the junction of the Slitrig Water and the River Teviot, Hawick is a historic town in the Scottish Borders region. It was officially established in the 16th century and flourished during the Industrial Revolution as a hub for textile manufacturing. Hawick is clustered with sandstone buildings, several of which host cultural museums.
Things to do in Hawick
If you’re a fan of whisky, gin or vodka, be sure to visit the Borders Distillery, which is housed within a converted electrical works on the banks of the River Teviot. Join a guided tour to go behind the scenes and discover what goes into producing their single malt and blended whiskies. After the tour, you can sample a variety of whiskies, as well as their Kerr’s Gin and Puffing Billy Vodka.
Housed within an 18th-century mansion is the Hawick Museum, which details the people and events that have shaped the town. Learn about the lives of local motorcycle champions Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop and browse the military memorabilia on display in the War Memorial Room. Changing art exhibitions are also held here throughout the year.
You can learn about the history of Scottish tweed at the Borders Textile Towerhouse, which occupies a 500-year-old tower that is the oldest building in Hawick. It hosts a fascinating array of fashion garments, weaving artefacts and old photographs that reflect the traditions of the Borders’ woollen industry. On display in the former reading room are watercolours by the renowned artist, Tom Scott.
Getting around Hawick
Hawick is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Edinburgh and Edinburgh Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Hawick and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.