Tours and things to do in Hawick

The Borders Distillery tours are back!

We’re excited to announce that our distillery tours have recommenced and will run from Mondays to Saturdays at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, until the end of October.

We’d love for you to come and visit us here at our home in the Scottish Borders to discover our award-winning distillery (we’ve been rated a 5* VisitScotland attraction and have a 5* rating on Tripadvisor) and to make the most of your time here, we’ve also put together a few other must-see things to do while in Hawick.

But first, here’s a bit about us…

The Borders Distillery

The Borders Distillery was founded in 2018 and is located in a conversion of a former Edwardian electrical works in Hawick in the Scottish Borders region. It’s a truly beautiful building with much of the original features preserved, like the huge Victorian glass ceiling and a steel hoist structure, which has since become a picture window frame for the distillery shop.

We produce gin, vodka and whisky. In fact, our WS:01 Malt & Rye was the first Scotch whisky to leave the Scottish Borders region since 1837 when we released it in 2022.

Currently, we’re on the road to producing our very own single malt whisky in the coming years and can’t wait to show the world when it’s ready.

The Borders Distillery Tour

All Borders Distillery tours are led by one of our expert distillers, who will walk through the production process, including where we source our barley, to what we do to give our spirits their unique quality and taste.

Then, as we are a year-round working distillery, you’ll get to see the production process in action, including mashing, fermentation, and distillation – where you’ll visit our four copper pot stills and learn why they’re named George, Tony, Tim, and John.

There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and take photos – the natural light that floods in through the huge glass ceiling above ensures that our distillery is always shown at its best.

At the end of the tour, there’s a chance to sample our spirits in the distillery bar, and you’ll get to take home a special TBD Glencairn glass. Drivers, of course, are always accommodated, so we’ll provide two samples and a glass to take away.

Don’t forget to visit our distillery shop before you go, but if you forget anything, you can always purchase a range of spirits, glassware and gifts from our online shop.

Things to do in Hawick

The historic town of Hawick has a long and colourful history stretching back to the 12^th century when David I of Scotland granted land to an influential Norman family, the Lovels.

However, it was in the late 18^th and 19^th centuries that Hawick established itself as the world centre of textiles and knitwear manufacturing. Today, the town is still synonymous with fine quality knitwear, cashmere and tweed.

While you’re here visiting us in Hawick, we recommend that you take the opportunity to discover some other must-see attractions in the area.

Johnstons of Elgin Hawick Mill

Johnston’s of Elgin is the UK’s largest producer of luxury cashmere and fine woollens.

We really recommend a visit to their Hawick Mill site which encompasses 3,600 sq. feet of visitor/retail spaces. There you’ll learn the craftsmanship behind the production process and have the opportunity to browse through a range of knitwear and tweed products, as well as fabric for upholstery and curtains.

There’s a café serving tea/coffee, locally sourced foods, pastries and baked goods.

Open 7 days per week.

Lovat Mill

Lovat Mill, known as the ‘Home of Tweed’, is a world-renowned tweed weaver for Scotland’s Estate and Regimental tweeds as well as being cashmere specialists.

This really is a must-see if you’re in Hawick. At the mill you can learn about the history of tweed and have the opportunity to browse through the large range of wool and cashmere clothing, accessories, throws and blankets.

Open Mon – Friday.

Three Hills Coffee Co.

Three Hills Coffee in nearby Selkirk is a coffee roaster with a small, dedicated team of baristas on a mission to spread the word about good coffee. There you can enjoy a range of high-quality freshly roasted coffee as well as a full range of locally sourced food to choose from, including cakes, scones and their famous sourdough French toast.

Open Tues – Sat

In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming you onto a Borders Distillery tour soon. We do accept ‘walk ins’ but it’s always better to book if you can. If you would like to book onto a distillery tour, you can do so here.

We look forward to seeing you soon!