Newcastleton / Copshaw Holm
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Newcastleton / Copshaw Holm shown within the Scottish Borders | |
Population | 772 (2001 census) |
Language |
English Southern Scots |
OS grid reference | NY480875 |
Civil parish | |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NEWCASTLETON |
Postcode district | TD9 |
Dialling code | 013873 |
Police | Scottish |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
EU Parliament | Scotland |
UK Parliament | |
Scottish Parliament | |
Newcastleton, or Copshaw Holm is a village in the Scottish Borders and within the historic boundaries of Roxburghshire, a few miles from the border of Scotland with England. The village is in Liddesdale and is on the Liddel Water, and is the site of Hermitage Castle.
Newcastleton was built as a result of the land clearances in the 1790s when people were forced to move from Old Castleton village. There has been a folk festival at Newcastleton since 1970. "Copshaw Holm" (another name for this same village) is celebrated in the song "Copshawholm Fair" written by David Anderson in 1830, as sung by Willie Scott among others.
Newcastleton has two hotels, a few shops, three pubs, a fourth pub the Liddesdale Branch of the Royal British Legion closed in May 2011, two cafes, a primary school and a church. It also has a doctor's surgery. The fuel station closed in 2008. The former Townfoot Church (erected in 1803) now houses the Liddesdale Heritage Centre, a museum devoted to the culture and history of Liddesdale. Newcastleton Forest is near the village, and is home to one of the 7stanes mountain bike centres.
Newcastleton is the location of Whithaugh Park, an outdoor activity and residential centre run by Rock UK (formerly Barnabas Adventure Centres) offering groups of young people the opportunity to try out a variety of different outdoor activities. The village also possesses the amenity of an astroturf multi-sport pitch (Polysport), as well as a gym and football pitch. Situated on the Holm Hill is a nine-hole golf course.
Newcastleton hosts a traditional music festival every year, as well as the Holm Show, a small traditional agricultural event. The village also recently welcomed 12 & 24 Hours of Exposure (the UK solo mountain bike championships), and part of Kielder 100, another mountain bike event.