| Where: | Hawick, Borders with Procession from the High Street, Hot Trod at Common Haugh |
| When: | Weekend in late March |
| Time: | Procession 10.30 am, Hot Trod 6.30 pm |
The border reivers were the folk who inhabited the “debateable lands” on the frontier of England & Scotland in the days before the Union; their quarrelsome ways and aggresive habits added words like bereavement and blackmail to the English language and their descendants still populate the area with well-known reiver surnames like Elliot, Dodds and Graham. Hawick was at the heart of reiver country and each spring a Festival is held to commemorate this heritage; it’s been going for a few years but is still a relative newcomer to the local calendar. Expect a costumed Procession on the Saturday morning, a series of entertainments, sports, living history displays and lectures throughout the day and a market, and the Hot Trod torchlit procession on the Saturday evening followed by fireworks at Wilton Lodge Park. Talks and further activities follow on the Sunday.
Helpful Hints
All are welcome and most of the events and activities are free. In cases of extreme weather the programme may be amended. In 2024 the festival ran from Friday 22nd- Sunday 24th March- 2025 dates are yet to be confirmed (see website link below for full details).
Click here for the event website and full programme: http://www.hawickreivers.com
and here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hawick.reiversfestival.3?fref=ts
I’m hoping you can help me with a project i’m working on. Can anyone supply me with information regarding the Border Reivers and the archbishop Gavin Dunbar of 1524-1547 who wrote the longest curse in history. Anything about that would be most appreciated.
Or if there was someone in Carlisle that I could contact and talk to.
thanks
stephen
Hi Stephen,
I think the place you need to contact is Tullie House museum in Carlisle – their website is at http://www.tulliehouse.co.uk and you can contact them direct from the About Us tab on the homepage. Have you seen the stone with it carved on in the underpass near the Museum?
Best wishes,
Averil
Thank you Averil. Apart from tullie house, is there anyone else that I can talk to in Carlisle about the curse on the border reivers. I have seen the stone and it fascinates me, that has what’s led me to this project. Any help would be greatful.
yours stephen
Have you seen this article? http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/cumbria/other-mysteries/carlisles-cursing-stone.html Fascinating stuff!
Might be worth contacting the Cathedral as well and Tourist Information centre – if I can think of anyone else I’ll let you know, but we’re over 40 miles away from the city so I haven’t any insider knowledge myself. Best of luck!
Averil