Hawick Travel Guide
Plan a perfect trip to Hawick with this comprehensive travel guide covering everything from attractions and hiking routes to accommodation and local customs.
- Introduction to Hawick
- List of Places to Visit in Hawick
- Hiking/Biking Routes of Hawick
- Best Things to Do in Hawick: Activities and Tours
- Week-Long Itinerary of Hawick
- Food and Drink Scene of Hawick
- Where to Stay in Hawick: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses
- Hotels
- Hostels
- Guesthouses
- What to Buy in Hawick: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home
- Local Culture and Customs of Hawick
- Best Time to Visit Hawick
- Do’s and Don’ts of Hawick
- Safety and Health
- Getting to Hawick: Transportation Options and Logistics
- Other Transportation Options
- How to Get Around Hawick
- Where to Go Next from Hawick: Nearby Destinations and Excursions
- Conclusion
Introduction to Hawick
Nestled in the Scottish Borders, Hawick is a charming town famous for its textiles and rugby legacy. With a rich history dating back to the 12th century, Hawick features an interesting blend of historical landmarks and natural beauty. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or just relaxation, Hawick has something for everyone. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through the top attractions, must-try food and drink, where to stay, and how to make the most of your trip to this unique Scottish town.
List of Places to Visit in Hawick
Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places
Hawick Museum
Hawick Museum is a must-visit place in the town as it displays the rich history of the region. Exhibits include a gallery devoted to the work of artist James Guthrie, displays of local costumes, and a collection of geology and archaeology.
Wilton Lodge Park
Wilton Lodge Park is a beautiful woodland park that spans over 107 acres. The park is dotted with the Buccleuch mansion, River Teviot, a walled garden, and an aviary. You can take a peaceful stroll in the lush green space or enjoy the free art exhibitions that take place every summer.
Natural Attractions of Hawick: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views
Teviotdale Leisure Centre
Teviotdale Leisure Centre is the perfect destination for adventure seekers. The center boasts a range of activities, including swimming, a fully-equipped gym, indoor golf, and tennis. Its distinctive features include a pirate-themed pool with slides, wave machines, and rapids.
The Borders Distillery
The Borders Distillery is a must-visit spot for whisky lovers. Here you can enjoy a tour of the distillery and learn how whisky is made. You can also sample some of the finest single malt whisky or purchase a bottle to take home. If you don’t enjoy whisky, the distillery also produces luxury gin, vodka, and rum.
Hiking/Biking Routes of Hawick
The Borders Abbeys Way
The Borders Abbeys Way is a 68-mile circular walking route that takes in the remains of four principal Border abbeys: Jedburgh, Kelso, Dryburgh, and Melrose. It is a great route to encompass all aspects of the Scottish Borders landscape.
The Hawick Rings
The Hawick Rings is another great walking route that takes in some of Hawick’s most iconic viewpoints. The path passes through a mix of heather moorland and conifer forest while providing breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
Best Things to Do in Hawick: Activities and Tours
Chocolate and Love Factory Tours
Learn how the company produces its organic chocolate and sample various flavours of chocolate cubes, macarons, and chocolate bars. The tour includes a 30-minute video, a 1-hour guide tour through the production rooms and concludes with a tasting session.
Hawick Walking Tours
If you want to uncover the hidden gems of the town, take a walking tour. Tours are conducted by an experienced local guide who will take you around the town, providing an insight into the history, culture, and customs of Hawick.
Week-Long Itinerary of Hawick
Day 1: Visit the Hawick Museum and Wilton Lodge Park Day 2: Take a walking tour and visit the Borders Distillery Day 3: Visit the Teviotdale Leisure Centre and Chocolate and Love Factory Day 4: Explore the Borders Abbeys Way and enjoy a picnic at a scenic spot Day 5: Grab a bike and cycle along The Hawick Rings Day 6: Relax and have a leisure day, take a stroll or try fishing with the locals. Day 7: Time to say goodbye
Food and Drink Scene of Hawick
Must-Try Dishes
Haggis
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish that involves a sheep’s heart, lungs, and liver, mixed with onions, oatmeal, suet, and spices. It is traditionally served with mashed potatoes, turnips, and whiskey sauce.
Cullen Skink
Cullen Skink soup is a premier Scottish seafood soup made with smoked haddock, potatoes, onions, and cream. It is a must-try dish for seafood lovers.
Local Beverages
Scottish Whisky
Scotland is famous for its whisky, and Hawick has a few great distilleries to visit. The Borders Distillery, in particular, offers a guided tour and tasting of their various single malt whiskies.
Scottish Ale
Scottish ale is a top-fermented beer brewed in Scotland, and Hawick has a few local breweries that produce excellent Scottish ale. The Horse Ale in particular is a local favorite.
Where to Stay in Hawick: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses
Hotels
Balcary House Hotel
Balcary House Hotel is a beautifully restored Georgian house that features stunning views of the River Teviot. It has 8 en-suite bedrooms that are spacious and comfortable, complemented by a fantastic dining menu that offers locally sourced ingredients.
Elm House Hotel
Elm House Hotel is a historic hotel that features 6 individually decorated rooms. The property is set within mature gardens and features a bar and dining room where you can enjoy traditional Scottish fare.
Hostels
The Heart of Hawick Hostel
The Heart of Hawick Hostel is a modern, purpose-built hostel that offers both private and dormitory style accommodation. It is equipped with a communal kitchen, lounge, and laundry facilities. It is located in the town center, making it the perfect base for exploring the town.
Guesthouses
Mansfield House Hotel
Mansfield House Hotel is an elegant guesthouse that provides comfortable yet stylish accommodation in their eight en-suite guest rooms. The property has an on-site restaurant that serves a variety of local dishes.
What to Buy in Hawick: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home
Hawick is renowned for its textiles, especially cashmere tartan, which is a must-buy for visitors. You can find authentic cashmere tartan in a range of patterns, colors and styles at many of the town’s local shops. Other local products include whisky, crafts, and locally-made chocolates.
Local Culture and Customs of Hawick
Hawick is proud of its heritage, and its customs have been passed down from generation to generation. The town is famous for the Common Riding festival, where locals ride around the town’s boundaries on horseback, commemorating their border past.
Best Time to Visit Hawick
The best time to visit Hawick is during the summer months (June to August) when the weather is warm and the days are longer. Hawick is also known for its annual Common Riding Festival, which takes place in June.
Do’s and Don’ts of Hawick
Do:
- Try local cuisine, especially haggis and Cullen Skink.
- Attend local festivals and events, and participate in them to understand local customs.
- Respect the locals and their customs.
Don’t:
- Litter or create any environmental damages.
- Mistreat any animals.
Safety and Health
Safety in Hawick
Hawick is a relatively safe town to visit, but visitors should still take precautions to protect themselves and their belongings. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas, and avoid walking alone at night.
Health in Hawick
Hawick has a medical center, as well as a few pharmacies that are open during business hours. In case of an emergency, there is an ambulance station along with other emergency services available. Ensure that you have travel insurance before departing as it may cover medical expenses or evacuation costs if needed.
Getting to Hawick: Transportation Options and Logistics
Airports Near Hawick
The closest airport to Hawick is Edinburgh Airport, which is 53 miles away. From here, you can take a bus, taxi, or hire a car to reach Hawick.
Bus Stations Near Hawick
Hawick Bus Station provides links to a wide range of destinations across the Scottish Borders. Regular services operate from the nearby cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Carlisle.
Other Transportation Options
You can also travel to Hawick by car or train. The town is easily accessible by train from major cities such as Edinburgh, Newcastle and Carlisle.
How to Get Around Hawick
The town centre is compact, making it easy to get around on foot. However, if you want to explore the surrounding area, car hires are available in the town center. There are also local buses operating within the town and its surroundings.
Where to Go Next from Hawick: Nearby Destinations and Excursions
Jedburgh
Jedburgh is a historic town located just 15 miles from Hawick. It is renowned for its magnificent 12th-century abbey, Mary Queen of Scots’ House, and the Jedburgh Castle Jail.
Kelso
Kelso is another historic town that is worth a visit. Its magnificent ruins of Kelso Abbey dates back to the 12th century. It is also well known for Georgian architecture, horse racing and the Jim Clark Rally held annually in the Scottish Borders.
Conclusion
Hawick is a unique town that offers visitors the perfect blend of history, culture and natural beauty. It has something to offer for every type of traveler, from adventure seekers to food lovers. We hope this comprehensive guide has sparked your interest and will help you plan a memorable trip to this fantastic Scottish town.
