Teviotdale

Teviotdale is a historic and geographic region in the southern Scottish Borders, Scotland. It refers to the valley of the River Teviot and the surrounding countryside. The Teviot Water rises in the southern uplands and flows generally northeast through a rural landscape of farms, woodlands, and small settlements before joining the River Tweed near Kelso. The region contains several villages along the Teviot, including Hawick, Bonchester Bridge, Ancrum, Lilliesleaf, and Teviothead.

Historically, Teviotdale formed part of Roxburghshire and was tied to the Borderlands’ system of sheriffdoms and baronies. The area was affected by border conflicts between Scotland and England and developed a mixed economy centered on agriculture and, over time, textile production in towns within the valley.

Today Teviotdale is largely rural, with agriculture and tourism as important components of the local economy. Hawick stands out for its long-standing hosiery and knitwear industries, which helped shape the Borders’ textile traditions from the 18th century onward. The landscape supports countryside recreation, wildlife, and heritage tourism, with several castles and abbeys in the wider Borders area contributing to its historic appeal. Notable historic sites associated with the region include Hermitage Castle near Liddesdale and the monastic complex at Kelso Abbey, among others in the Borders belt. The Teviotdale identity persists in local history groups and cultural references within the Scottish Borders, and the area is part of the modern Scottish Borders council area.