Hawick is the largest of the Border towns and lies on the banks of the River Teviot. Historically known for its textile industry, Hawick is the home of brands such as Lyle & Scott, Pringle of Scotland and Johnstons of Elgin. The town also provides an extensive choice of amenities ranging from a leisure centre, a variety of specialist independent shops including small supermarkets, and a selection of restaurants and hotels, mostly situated around the High Street area of town.
The annual Common Riding, which is one of the oldest Border festivals combines the annual riding of the boundaries of the town's common land with the commemoration of a victory over an English raiding party in 1514. Hawick is also well known for its rugby at Mansfield Park, home of Hawick Rugby Football Club, plus its events in the town which include the Summer Festival and the Hawick Reivers Festival.
Local attractions include the Borders Textile Towerhouse, the Three Stills Distillery, Wilton Lodge Park, The Hawick Museum and Scott Gallery. There are also a variety of outdoor pursuits across the region that include fishing on the River Teviot and River Tweed, fieldsports, horse riding, golf with a course in Hawick, lawn bowling, mountain biking, and a selection of nearby walks including the Southern Upland Way, St. Cuthbert's Way and The Borders Abbeys Way. There is also a good choice of primary schools available with secondary schooling at Hawick High School.
The A7 which runs through Hawick provides excellent links to Edinburgh or the north of England. The area is also served by the Borders Railway which runs from Tweedbank to Edinburgh, with the station lying approximately eighteen miles away. There is also a bus service with links to Carlisle, as well as Edinburgh and the other Border towns.
