Hawick
Hawick (/hɔɪk/ ⓘ HOYK; Scots: Haaick; Scottish Gaelic: Hamhaig) is a town in the Scottish Borders council area and historic county of Roxburghshire in the east Southern Uplands of Scotland. It is 10 miles (16.1 km) south-west of Jedburgh and 8.9 miles (14.3 km) south-south-east of Selkirk. It is one of the furthest towns from the sea in Scotland, in the heart of Teviotdale, and is the biggest town in Roxburghshire. The town is at the confluence of the Slitrig Water with the River Teviot.
Hawick
| |
|---|---|
| Town and former burgh | |
The River Teviot running through Hawick, with the town hall visible | |
Hawick Location within the Scottish Borders | |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (4.9 km2) |
| Population | 13,620 (mid-2020 est.) |
| • Density | 7,168/sq mi (2,768/km2) |
| Language | English Southern Scots |
| OS grid reference | NT505155 |
| • Edinburgh | 39.7 mi (63.9 km) NNW |
| • London | 292 mi (470 km) SSE |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HAWICK |
| Postcode district | TD9 |
| Dialling code | 01450 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
| Website | scotborders.gov.uk |
The town was formally established in the 16th century, but was previously the site of historic settlement going back hundreds of years. By the late 17th century, the town began to grow significantly, especially during the Industrial Revolution and Victorian era as a centre for the production of textiles, with a focus on knitting and weaving, involving materials such as tweed and cashmere. By the late 20th century, textile production had declined but the town remains an important regional centre for shopping, tourism and services. Hawick's architecture is distinctive in that it has many sandstone buildings with slate roofs. The town has several museums, parks and heritage sites. The town hosts the annual Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival.