Moat Park

About Moat Park

The Motte -the large mound of earth -dates from the 12th century and was built by the Lovels. On the way up to it you will pass a seat made in the form of a medieval siege weapon which was used to hurl rocks at fortifications.
A Norman construction, the Motte is about 7.6m (25 feet) high and a wooden tower would have been at the top, with defensive ditches all around it. There would also originally have been a small settlement around the base of the Motte protected by a wooden palisade.
The Motte plays an important part in the annual Hawick Common-Riding, when the principal, the Cornet, climbs the steps to welcome the sunrise and sing the town song which includes the words ‘Teribus, ye Teri Odin'. which is believed to invoke the Norse Gods Thor and Odin: ‘Thor be with us, both Thor and Odin'.
This is also why you may hear people from Hawick being called ‘Ten'es