Borders brilliance
There’s so much to see and do in region known for its fantastic textiles and steeped in history
Exploring Hawick’s textile heritage.
WHEN people think of Scotland’s renowned textile industry, images of cosy winter knits and designer labels (with price tags to match) often spring to mind.
But the mills of Hawick and the surrounding area are a hive of activity all year round, creating fashionable pieces for every season.
And if you know where to go it’s possible to pick up designer garments at factory prices. When it comes to summer knits, think of baby-soft cashmere in a palette of gentle, dusky pastels, or go vibrant with a pop of bright uplifting colour. While the nation has been basking weather recently, it won’t be long bef back to normal and Scotland again becomes the ideal country for layering an effortless twinset, donning an elegant tank top sweater, or wrapping up at a Scottish in a cosy throw or blanket.
A recommended first stop is the Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick.
This free museum tells the story of the region’s textile success, incorporating hands-on exhibits such as “carding” the wool – combing it between two large barbed paddles, to untangle and clean it.
The celebrity associations of Pringle are celebrated, highlighting stars from the world of film (think Anne Crawford and Tilda Swinton) to celebrity sportsmen (including Nick Faldo), and designer collaborations, such as Dior’s creative partnership with Lyle & Scott.
For a mill tour, drop by Johnstons of Elgin in Hawick. The visitor centre highlights products created from merino lambswool, alpaca, angora, cashmere and even camel hair. Small boxes, containing fibres from each animal, allow visitors to touch the raw material. It’s a myriad of animals, nations and textures, all together under one roof.
Another great stop is William Lockie’s. This vast, traditional shop is awash with colour, a rainbow of cashmere, tweed, Geelong and lambswool.
From the softest cashmere baby-blankets, to handsome camel hair jumpers, it’s a bit of a treasure trove.
But my No.1 stop has to be Hawico. Its really simple yet informative display boards answer million dollar questions such as “How was cashmere first br ritain?” Turns out a ap called Joseph Dawson discovered the fibre whilst travelling to India to attend his daughter’s wedding. In 1893 he provided his Scottish customers with samples, and the rest is history.
Hawico presents a large gallery where customers can see the mill at work, giving insights into the modern textile world, where machines take the strain and staff diligently check for quality and snags. But the most tempting things about Hawico were the factory prices and the one-off samples. To walk away with a summery Pacific blue cashmere tank top from the sample racks for £70 was an indulgence, but for cashmere a £70 price tag sure beats £170 or £270 any day. The Borders towns are renowned for textiles, and although they have many feathers in their fashion-conscious cap, it turns out that key visitor attractions are intrinsically linked with the mills.
One such popular historic site is Melrose Abbey. This atmospheric ruin attracts tourists as the burial site of Robert the Bruce’s heart. But the original Cistercian monks who lived here made their money as sheep farmers, helping establish Melrose and the Borders as a centre of excellence for quality livestock and wool.
Others visit the Borders perhaps due to its literary connections. Writer Sir Walter Scott was the Sheriff of Selkirkshire, and James Hogg was born and raised in Ettrick, but look closer and you’ll discover that Scott was also a sheep farmer, and Hogg was affectionately known as “the Ettrick Shepherd”.
In terms of events, the Common Ridings put the Borders towns on the map, and these festivals connect to the land as well.
When thieves or “reivers” stole Borders cattle, the townspeople responded by riding their boundaries to protect them. Today these colourful celebrations, featuring townsfolk cantering through the countryside on fine horses, commemorate those early struggles. The next event falls on August 4 with the Lauder Common Riding.
A final word to the wise is that Hawick boasts the most magnificent new playground.
So if you have wee ones, and a caring partner willing to give you time to shop for knitwear in peace, then I’d thoroughly recommend it.