Today we set off for Hawick which is the home of Tweed along with where the Twin Set (although not pearls) originated. It is also where Pringles jumpers come from and is said to be the home of Cashmere. Hawick was a market town and Towerknowe was the towns marketplace where the fish, butter, meal, salt and horse markets were held, it was also where workers could be hired. In 1815 the Gazetteer listed the following ‘Markets for cattle and for hiring servants are held on 17th May and on 8th November; for sheep on the 20th and 21st September; and for horses and cattle on the third Tuesday of October. A market for hiring hinds and herds is held generally on the first , second and third Thursday in April.’ We walked all round the town and which although founded in the 1100’s its heyday was during the Industrial Revolution and a lot of the architecture reflects this. There are still a number of mills and as we were walking round we could hear looms clacking behind the walls. Interestingly they don’t seem to make knitted stockings anymore, in 1771 2,000 pairs were manufactured, by 1838 the number was 1,049,676 pairs! By the time we had finished our tour of the town and had lunch it was time for the common ride out, this is a gathering of huntsmen and women to ride the common land the maintain public access, as the land was owned by ghee crown, if not used regularly then they could find their paths blocked or building springing up on the land, it is more ceremonial the necessary these days, but all the same there was a large turnout so we stood and watched that then set off to Hermitage castle which is about 15 miles outside of Hawick although down B roads so about 40 minutes away! This is called a ruin but apart from not having a roof or any floors it actually looks in quite good condition, I think that we could definitely make it into a nice holiday home! After looking round the castle it was time to head home, we have both decided that cashmere is really nice, but so far we haven’t made an investment.
