David Pike – Page 3

Mary Queen of Scots – a study in sadness

July 6, 2020 By David Pike Leave a Comment

Mary Queen of Scots – a study in sadness – The utter despair of a life in captivity was summed up by Mary Queen of Scots thus – “Would that I had died in Jedburgh.” She was thinking back to a short but memorable visit to the Border town in October 1566, where as Queen, […]

Jedburgh – a Scottish Borders gem

July 6, 2020 By David Pike Leave a Comment

Jedburgh – Scottish Borders gem – The historic royal burgh of Jedburgh, gateway to the Scottish Borders, is one of the most visited towns in the borders region – and with good reason. What Jedburgh lacks in size it more than makes up with an A-list of historic attractions. Jedburgh’s 12th century Abbey offers a […]

Heart of Hawick

Heart of Hawick – The oldest part of town is aptly home to the flagship Heart of Hawick development. It comprises the Heritage Hub, repository of ancient documents and records from the Borders, and a superb visitor centre that incorporates a bistro cafe, tourist information desk, a cinema and theatre. It is also a popular […]

Dark days in Hawick

Dark days in Hawick – On a fine day it’s a pleasure to sit and watch the river Teviot and Slitrig Water come together at Hawick to start the next stage of a journey seawards. Having drawn a zest for life from the high hills of the Borders they join forces a few yards upstream […]

Hawick’s sons of speed

Hawick’s sons of speed – Bikers from all over the UK make a beeline for Hawick’s Wilton Park museum, to pay homage to two of the town’s sporting superstars. A decision by Scottish Borders Council to bring together permanent exhibitions, paying tribute to top motorcyclists Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop, has proved to be inspired. […]

Ghostly goings-on at Jedburgh Castle Jail

Ghostly goings-on at Jedburgh Castle Jail – Built on the site of a royal castle, Jedburgh Castle Jail has some fascinating tales to tell. It was there that King Malcolm IV died in 1165 and the scene of the marriage of King Alexander III (1241-1286) to Yolande, daughter of the Duke of Dreux in France. […]

Jedburgh’s Enigma code hero

Jedburgh’s Enigma code hero – On a wall in the British Legion Club in Jedburgh, neatly positioned between two Victoria Cross memorials, sits a third commemorative display, this one containing a George Cross. But for the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the events that led to that award, this local heroes corner might well have contained another […]

Selkirk’s a town in touch with historic traditions

Selkirk’s a town in touch with historic traditions – Scratch the surface of any town in the Scottish Borders and you will find a community of independent minded people who are fiercely proud of their traditions. In Selkirk, perched on a terrace of hills overlooking the Ettrick Water, where locals are know as ‘souters’ (shoemakers), […]

Hawick distillery has designs on excellence

Hawick distillery has designs on excellence – The Borders Distillery in Hawick is back in celebratory mode after landing a second major award. It has been listed alongside the best in the Scottish Borders in the Borders Building Design Awards for 2018. The distillery building’s eye catching restoration, led by architects Gray Macpherson of Edinburgh, […]

Hawick a perfect choice to revive whisky tradition

Hawick a perfect choice to revive whisky tradition – In a town built on solid and stirring traditions, the Hawick community jumped at the chance to stick a new feather in its Scottish Borders bonnet. Internationally renowned for the manufacture of high quality textiles, Hawick is now at the heart of restoring a Borders tradition […]