Hawick Reivers Festival – Hawick, Scotland 2026

Overview

The Hawick Reivers Festival immerses visitors in the rugged world of 16th-century Border Reivers, the infamous raiders of the Anglo-Scottish frontier, through a vibrant weekend of historical reenactments, music, and merriment in the heart of the Scottish Borders. Held in the historic market town of Hawick, this annual celebration honors the town’s resilient heritage as a Reiver stronghold, where families like the Elliots and Armstrongs once ruled the turbulent marches with cunning and clan loyalty. Expect a tapestry of storytelling, drumbeats, and dances that echo tales of cattle raids and midnight skirmishes, all set against Hawick’s charming cobbled streets and rolling hills. It’s a lively nod to survival and spirit, drawing history buffs and families alike to relive the era that birthed words like “blackmail” and forged unbreakable kinships. For more details, visit the official site.

Now in its 20th year for 2026, the festival expands its musical offerings with folk bands channeling Reiver ballads, pipe and drum corps marching through town, and evening ceilidhs blending Celtic rhythms with border folk tunes. Amid the action, local artisans showcase period crafts, and feasts of hearty stews and ale fuel the fun, creating an atmosphere where past and present collide in joyous revelry. Whether you’re tracing Reiver roots or simply seeking an authentic slice of Scottish lore infused with melody, this event promises an exhilarating journey into a time of fierce pride and unyielding adventure.

Event Highlights

• Reenactments of musket drills, hand-to-hand skirmishes, and mock battles staged across town fields, bringing the chaos of Reiver raids to life with thundering hooves and clashing steel.
• Traditional music and dance performances, including folk ensembles playing haunting border ballads and lively jigs that accompany storytelling sessions of clan feuds and heroic escapes.
• Interactive family activities like costume parades and craft workshops, where visitors don Reiver garb and learn skills from leatherworking to swordplay amid the festival’s festive bustle.

About this event

This festival uniquely revives the audacious world of the Border Reivers through immersive theater and song, transforming Hawick into a living chronicle of the 1500s frontier, where music serves as the soundtrack to tales of defiance and daring.

• Weekend program spanning reenactments, markets, and music from dawn markets to torchlit processions, with 2026 promising enhanced stages for folk and pipe bands.
• Historical depth via expert-led talks on Reiver families and their impact on Scottish identity, paired with live demonstrations of period instruments like the Jew’s harp and smallpipes.
• Community core with local clans hosting heritage tents, encouraging visitors to uncover personal ties through genealogy pop-ups and surname hunts.
• Musical flair highlighting border folk traditions, from acapella shanties of raids to communal dances that echo the Reivers’ resilient spirit.
• Inclusive touches like children’s quests through “Reiver hideouts” and accessible viewing for parades, ensuring broad engagement in Hawick’s storied past.
• Evening spectacles including fireworks-synced drum corps and a grand banquet with minstrels, capping the days in triumphant, rhythmic celebration.

Why Attend

The Hawick Reivers Festival whisks you into a whirlwind of history and harmony, where the pulse of border pipes mingles with the roar of reenacted battles, igniting a fire for Scotland’s feisty forebears that no textbook can match. Stroll Hawick’s ancient wynds as fiddles weave sagas of stolen herds and star-crossed loves—it’s exhilarating, educational, and endlessly entertaining, especially for those with a drop of Reiver blood craving connection. Music lovers will thrill to the raw authenticity of folk anthems born from hardship, performed in venues that once sheltered the very clans they honor, forging an unbreakable bond between performer and crowd. For more details, visit the official site.

Yet it’s more than spectacle; it’s a heartfelt homage to resilience, inviting you to dance in the footsteps of ancestors who turned turmoil into triumph, all while savoring the Borders’ warm hospitality. By day, explore Hawick’s woollen mills and riverside paths; by night, join the torchlit throng for songs that stir the soul. In today’s rush, this festival stands as a bold reminder of heritage’s power to unite, leaving you with echoes of laughter, lyrics, and legends that linger like a well-tuned lute.

Date & Duration

• Dates: March 27 – 29, 2026
• Duration: 3 days

Venue / Location

• Central hub: Hawick town center, with key events at the High Street for processions and Common Haugh (Wee Haugh) for battles and markets.
• Spillover sites: Local fields, pubs, and historic halls for music and dances, creating a town-wide immersive experience.
• Main address: Hawick, Scottish Borders, TD9 7HX, United Kingdom.

Ticket Information

• Tickets sold online via TicketTailor and the official website, with on-site availability for most free events and advance booking for banquets.
• Admission mostly free, with paid options for premium experiences like the Reivers’ Banquet.
• Pricing in USD: Free for parades and markets; banquet tickets $45–$60; family bundles around $100 for workshops and dinners.
• Special seating or VIP options include reserved banquet tables with historical toasts and front-row parade viewing with clan meet-and-greets.
• Minimum ticket pricing: Free general entry.
• Maximum ticket pricing: $60 per person for the full Reivers’ Banquet with music and feast.

Booking with Euro Travelo

Planning to enjoy this music festival without the stress? Euro Travelo can help you book tickets, organize travel, and handle your entire trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a vibrant music festival, live concert, or cultural celebration, our team ensures a smooth experience for music lovers across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to secure your festival tickets and travel arrangements.

Contact Information

• Email: info@hawickreivers.com (general inquiries and event details).
• Phone: Not specified; use email for English/Scottish support.
• Website: https://www.hawickreivers.com
• Social Media: @HawickReiversFestival (Facebook).
• Key Staff: Not specified; direct queries to the general email.
• Press/Volunteers: Email info@hawickreivers.com for media packs or volunteer roles (reenactor support, music coordination—TBD for 2026).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English and Welsh support available.

Getting There

• Nearest airports: Edinburgh Airport (EDI), 1.5-hour drive via A7; Newcastle (NCL), 2 hours south through the Borders.
• Public transport: Trains via ScotRail to Hawick (via Edinburgh or Carlisle, 2–3 hours); Borders Buses from Galashiels or Jedburgh.
• Parking: Free motorhome area with water/elsan at festival site; town car parks at Tower Knowe (pay-and-display, $2–4/day).
• Driving: A68 from Edinburgh (1 hour) or A7 from Carlisle (1.5 hours); scenic routes through Teviotdale.
• Cycling/Walking: Borders Abbeys Way trails nearby; bike racks at event hubs and pedestrian-friendly town center.

Accommodation Options

• Hotels and B&Bs: Charming stays like The Marmion House Hotel ($90–140/night, central with Borders views) or budget at The B&B Hawick ($60–90, family-run).
• Self-catering cottages: Historic rentals via VisitScotland.com ($120–200/night for 4–6, equipped for groups exploring the Tweed Valley).
• Guesthouses: Cozy spots like Mansfield House ($70–110/night, breakfast included, short walk to High Street events).
• Camping: Festival-adjacent pitches at Hawick Camping ($40–70/night, with facilities for motorhomes).
• Booking tips: Platforms like Booking.com or Airbnb; early March bookings advised, bundle with rail for Borders jaunts.

Reviews

• The torchlit tunes and battle drums had me hooked—pure Reiver magic in every note!
• Lively folk sets amid the reenactments; came for history, stayed for the songs that stir the blood.
• Family favorite—kids loved the parades, we adored the evening ceilidhs under the stars.