Hawick Reivers Festival 2025

Step back in time for a memorable weekend in the company of the Border Reivers!
But who were the Reivers and what was their significance?
For hundreds of years the Borderland between Scotland and England was the home of families with well known names such as Armstrong, Scott, Turnbull, Murray and Elliot to name but a few. Families with intense loyalties to their land and kin and the need to defend that land from marauders. This bred a fiercely independent group of people who’s descendent have spread around the world taking their skills and strengths with them.
Hawick Reivers Festival aims to immerse visitors in this history and allows them to experience what life was like for these hardy ancestors. Through dramas, talks, lectures, re-enactments and music the weekend truly offers something for the whole family.
Set mainly in the town of Hawick in the heart of the historic Middle March the weekend starts off on Friday evening with a concert. Saturday is a very full day with a parade, street market, reivers encampment, historic lectures and rounds off with a torchlight procession and fireworks display to reenact the “Hot Trod” when reivers rode on horseback by night in pursuit of stolen cattle and their enemies! Sunday features a walk round the historic aspects of the town, and there is a special event this year at Hermitage Castle run by Historic Scotland. Visitors can then round off their weekend by enjoying a traditional Scottish High Tea and a fascinating lecture on the history of the wars between Scotland and England – a fitting end to a busy programme.
Most events are free of charge and open to all (with the exception of the Concert and High Tea which can be booked via tickettailor.com/events/hawickreiversfestival )
So why not make your way to Hawick from 28th to 30th March 2025 – we promise you a great experience!
Full programme can be found on our website www.hawickreivers.com under 2025 heading