Hawick and Newcastleton

Hawick is the largest of the Border towns and has long been a centre of the knitwear and cashmere industry, set astride the River Teviot. The town is famed for its 'Common Riding' - an event in June when hundreds of riders go round the burgh boundaries; it - and a fine horse statue - commemorates a victory over English raiders.

Whilst Hawick may be substantial by Borders standards, it is the gateway to one of the loneliest and emptiest parts of the region, as the land to the south and west extends away into miles and miles of forest and little-visited rolling hills. At the heart of this area is the attractive planned village of Newcastleton, in Liddesdale.