Beauty, Creativity and Conflict – The King’s Own Scottish Borderers in the 19th Century

Saturday 1 March – Sunday 30 November 2025
March: Fri-Mon 11:00-15:00 (closed Tue-Thu)
April & May: Wed-Mon 11:00-16:00 (closed Tue)

A new exhibition at Hawick Museum called Beauty, Creativity and Conflict
– The King’s Own Scottish Borderers in the 19th Century, explores the
events and conflicts experienced by the Regiment between 1794 and
1902, told through the creativity and human experiences of the
individuals who were there. Against the sinister backdrop of war, disease
and imperialism, the soldiers of the Regiment expressed themselves
through their writing, artwork and imagination.
The exhibition invites visitors to explore material from the museum and
archive of The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, as it goes through an
exciting redevelopment at its permanent site at Berwick Barracks. It is an
opportunity to view a carefully selected range of uniform, artwork and
photography from the vast collection, some of which has never been seen
before by the public.
The artwork on display charts the journeys made by the Regiment, the
people they encountered and the landscapes they saw, as well as
depicting the changes in uniform styles. Personal letters and diaries give
an intimate glimpse into the experiences, emotions and relationships of
the people who formed the beating heart of the Regiment, which has a
strong connection with Hawick and the surrounding area.