Frederick Douglass and The Memorials of Hawick
14 February marks not only Valentines Day but the birthday of Frederick Douglass, the African American abolitionist and Civil Rights leader. He has become a hugely important figure in American culture. He chose this birthday for himself, as he has no record his birth - he was born into slavery on a plantation in Maryland in either 1817 or 1818. 14 February seemed a good choice to him as his mother used to call him her “Little Valentine”. During his remarkable life he travelled far and wide delivering anti-slavery speeches. He even made it to Scotland’s Border country, as part of a UK tour of speaking engagements. On 2 November 1846 Douglass spoke at The West End Chapel in Hawick, sharing his powerful message to the townsfolk. The people of Hawick have marked this association with such a towering figure with a special plaque, unveiled on 14 February 2023.
The Douglass plaque is just one of dozens (if not hundreds) of memorials, statues and plaques dedicated to people and events which have impacted the people of Hawick. It is a small town in world terms, but one with a strong sense of its identity and place in the world, as well as a noble tradition of recognising excellence. I took a walk round the town to find out more about just some of these memorials, join me on a wee virtual tour…
The Horse
Hawick’s most famous memorial, this fine equine statue commemorates the routing of English forces by the Callants of Hawick in 1514. This skirmish, at nearby Hornshole, helped cement the Hawick reputation of tough independence, and continues to inspire the annual Common Riding Festival.
You can find it where the High Street turns into Oliver Place.
Boer War Memorial
Dating from 1903, this impressive memorial commemorates the 20 men of Hawick and district who fell in the Boer War, South African (1899 - 1902). This loss was keenly felt and the statue was paid for by “all classes of this Borderland”. It is believed to be the earliest war memorial in Britain to feature a machine gun. The memorial is in Wilton Lodge Park, near the pump track and bandstand.
Jimmie Guthrie & Steve Hislop
Two world famous motorcyle champions and commemorated with statues in Wilton Lodge Park. Jimmie Guthrie was a prolific champion including 19 European Grand prix and 12 Isle of Man TT Podiums. He was killed in 1937 following a crash in Germany. His statue was made by famous Border sculptor Thomas Clapperton whose other works include the Border Reiver at Galashiels War Memorial, Robert the Bruce at Edinburgh Castle and the figure of Minerva on top of the Mitchelll Library in Glasgow. Guthrie was born in Hawick.
Steve Hislop (1962 - 2003) was another serial winner on 2 wheels. He was also prolific at the Isle of Man TT, indeed he ended up living there. He was in his second spell as British Superbike champion when his helicopter crashed at Carlenrig, near Teviothead in July 2003. ‘Hizzy’ was also born in the town.
Steve Hislop
1962 - 2003
Jimmie Guthrie
1897 - 1937
Turning the Bull monument
A powerful statue in Kirkstile, the heart of the oldest part of Hawick. The name ‘Turnbull’ is said to have come from when William of Rule (Rule being is an area near Hawick) fought and 'turned the bull' to the ground that was charging at King Robert the Bruce in 1313. He was then called William Turn-E-Bull, thus creating the Turnbull name. The monument was commissioned by the Turnbull Clan Association based in America and was sculpted by Innerleithen artist Angela Hunter in 2007. Turnbull is a common name in Hawick to this day, indeed a quarter of the names on the Boer War memorial are Turnbull.
The Elliot Bandstand
A new bandstand was built in 2015, occupying a space in the west end of Wilton Lodge Park. This replaced an earlier version, as part of significant upgrades in the park. The bandstand is named after local councillor Zandra Elliot, who died in 2014. Zandra represented the Hawick and Denholm ward and was also Honorary Provost of Hawick twice, overseeing Civic Functions including the Colour Bussing at Common Riding - an event that must be seen to be believed.
The Return from Hornshole
This memorial was unveiled in 2014, 100 years after its sister piece ‘The Horse’ and 500 after the skirmish at Hornshole. It shows one of the returning Callants of Hawick showing the flag liberated from the English. It can be found outside Hawick’s oldest building, Drumlanrig Tower, now home to the excellent Borders Textile Towerhouse. What I find especially touching about this statue is that the youthful Callant is greeted by an elderly couple - a reminder that whole generation of Borders men was destroyed by the Battle of Flodden in 1513 - and that youth was the future of Hawick. This holds true today with Common Riding songs talking about “Hawick’s bright eyed daughters” and “lads leal and true”.
James Thomson
Thomson was a poet and songwriter. He was the founding president of the Hawick Burns club and this memorial, and a footbridge also named after him, can be found just behind the club. Thomson wrote two famed Common Riding songs and cemented his love of Robert Burns by writing ‘The Star O’ Rabbie Burns’. You can read more about Burns in The Borders on this blog.
Bill McLaren
I had to finish with Bill, the man who has taken the Hawick voice further around the globe than anyone else with his iconic commentary on Rugby Union. His dulcet tones are known in clubs from Musselburgh to Montpellier and Durban to Dunedin, even 22 years since his last International match. Rugby Union just sounds right with Bill calling it, and he is rightly revered in his hometown. His statue is in Wilton Lodge Park, where you will also find a bridge named for him. This bust, like the Turning of the Bull, was the work of Angela Hunter.
Although there are many more to discover, this concludes my short tour of some of Hawick's memorials. The town is adapting to the changes caused by our climate and its location at the meeting point of two fast-flowing rivers. To protect against flooding, new flood defences are being installed, which are also helping to revitalise much of the town's Victorian centre. And of course, I haven’t touched on the Famously Hawick businesses - that’s for another day! A visit to Hawick is a Borders experience that should not be missed. Trust me, a day spent in this one of a kind town is never a day wasted!
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