The History of Cavers

The aim of this website

This is a website which, it is hoped, will grow and develop through contributions from anyone who is interested in the Cavers area.

Once a large and wealthy estate owned by an influential Borders family with ties to the infamous Black Douglas, Cavers is now little more than a quiet collection of houses and  fields on the southeastern fringe of the town of Hawick.

The 'centrepiece' of the estate was, and, some might argue, still is, Cavers House, an impressive structure even in it's now sadly ruinous state.

There have been talks, on and off, over the years, of the building being restored as a private home, or, one plan proposed, as a luxury hotel.  Other proposals involve the complete demolition of the structure, and the building of a new home (or homes?) on the site.

In February of 2020, work began clearing the spruce plantation which enveloped the land surrounding the house.  The new owner appears keen to develop the existing building, incorporating  as much of the original stonework and as many of the original features as possible.  We'll try to keep you posted on the development as it progresses.

Whatever the future of the building, one thing that is certain is the fact that it has a vibrant and intriguing history.  

Of equal interest, though, is Cavers Auld Kirk, now an impressive family home.  The other buildings in the immediate area, too, may have been connected to the estate as it was in days gone by, and so these deserve some attention.  In nearby Denholm Dean, the old Tea House ... what is the truth of THAT building?  Cavers School ... now long gone ... do any photos remain ?  And the old cross, the base of which can still be seen, located very close to the Auld Kirk.  What did it look like ?

In the borders, there are a  number of 'vanished villages' ... Polwarth by Duns being one extraordinary example, having completely disappeared in less than 100 years.   Cavers, as it was, has also all but vanished.  The hope is that this website can become a source of information that anyone can use for their own research or interest, or who  can help to shed some light on the history of this beautiful part of the Scottish Borders.

Please feel free to contribute anything to the site.  The content will be curated to try to present the information in a logical (it is hoped!) manner, but all  contributions will be gratefully received.