Newcastleton

In and around Newcastleton

Newcastleton isn’t just a great base for your holiday in the Scottish Borders, it’s also a great place to explore in its own right. We would love you to enjoy the hospitality of our village, our heritage, and the many activities Newcastleton has to offer.

Newcastleton, affectionately known as ‘Copshaw Holm’ by the locals, is an 18th Century planned village, created by the Third Duke of Buccleuch as a centre of development for flax, wool and cotton handloom weaving.

This castle is only 8km north of Newcastleton, set in the beautiful Hermitage Valley, and well worth a visit. It is one of the best medieval Border castles to survive. Built in a typical Norman motte and bailey style in 1243, it has been fought over by the Scots and English for centuries, and described as “the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain”.

The castle is famous for its connection to Mary Queen of Scots. In October 1566, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, was injured in a fight with the border reivers. When news of this reached Mary Queen of Scots (who just happened to be visiting nearby Jedburgh ) she immediately saddled her horse and rode the 40km across rough inhospitable hill land to be by his side. She visited only briefly and, on the ride back, fell into a bog and developed a fever from which she nearly died.

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/hermitage-castle

Lying so close to the England/Scotland border, this area was historically known as Border Reiver Country (or ‘The Debateable Land’), home of the Armstrong and Elliot clans. Visitors may like to follow all or part of the Border Reiver Trail 60, a 60-mile self-driving route which visits a series of historical sites relating to the reiver skirmishes which took place in this region between the 14th and 17th Centuries. 

Located in a former church at the south end of the village, this museum is worth a visit to learn about local history and culture.  The Waverley Route (railway between Carlisle and Edinburgh which closed in 1969), village shops and local trades (e.g. clogging, weaving, farming) are all represented, with many artefacts on display. A beautiful tapestry is also exhibited, celebrating 200 years since the village was created in 1793. Many villagers contributed and it depicts scenes of village life over the years.

Visitors may also be interested in the following events:

  • Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival – takes place over the first weekend of July. The village comes alive with the sounds of traditional Scottish and folk music and, of course, Scottish dancing.
  • Common Riding – takes place in early July each year. This is not the traditional Border town ‘Common Riding’ where locals mount their horses and ride the marches of their town. Instead, the locals of Newcastleton get on their bikes instead and follow their very own tradition and customs! It is indeed a sight to behold.
  • Holm Show – our annual village show held in late August, with competitions, displays and entertainment. A fun day out.