McGregor Books

A collection of fifty-two period photographs of this border town and the villages around it, including Canonbie, Rowanburn, Bentpath and Eskdalemuir. Accompanied by a history of the area, many of the images show village life as it was in years gone by - sheep being driven to market, a Scottish opera performed by the Langholm Amateur Dramatic Society, the unveiling of the War Memorial, children on their way to the old Langholm Academy, and, of course, the various events and sights of the annual Common Riding, including the oldest surviving brass band in Scotland, the Flute Band who play only once a year, the hound trail and the wrestling. Other subjects include the long-gone railway stations at Canonbie and Gilknockie, the coal pit at Rowanburn and the building of the Observatory at Eskdalemuir.

Dating from the thirteenth century, Hawick has a proud history as a market town and the centre of the Borders' textile industry. It is also home to the Common Riding, the traditions of which date back to the early sixteenth century. All of these aspects of the town's past are featured in this book, which contains over 180 period photographs, many never published before. Long-gone sights include Andrew Oliver's auction mart, the opening of the old swimming baths, the railway station, the Auld Mid Raw, Buffalo Bill's Circus, and there is a special section devoted to the Common Riding. There are pages of photographs of the town's various bands, organisations, sporting clubs, and many of the community events that have been held over the decades (including the unveiling of the Horse memorial and the roller skating carnival of 1917!). The communities surrounding Hawick are also featured, including: Adderstonshiels, Appletreehall, Ashkirk, Bedrule, Bonchester Bridge, Chesters, Denholm, Hobkirk, Minto, Mosspaul, Roberton, Stobs and Teviothead.

96 pages