Williestruther (“struther” is old Scots for marsh), is situated on Hawick’s Common Good land and is part of Pilmuir Farm. It started its life as little more than a bog before being dammed in the early 19th century to provide water to the mills on the Slitrig River. This allowed the mills fed by that water to survive throughout the drought of the summer of 1844, when the local rivers dried up to a trickle.
The loch is strictly for bank only fishing managed by Hawick Angling Club and is stocked regularly with rainbow trout. Maintenance of the area, particularly strimming of grass is undertaken by Scottish Borders Council on behalf of Hawick Common Good.
The completed walk around Williestruther Loch officially opened on 12 August 2015.
In June 2014, Hawick Community Council submitted an application to Scottish and Southern Electricity’s Sustainable Development Fund to provide a new walk for townspeople, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, visitors, and schoolchildren around Williestruther Loch.
Funding of £30,000 was announced at the end of September and the work provided a car park for approximately 8 cars, boardwalks to cross marshy ground and burns, a visitor information board and a shelter, pond dipping areas and picnic benches and other seating around the loch for use by people in the community and visitors alike.
Additional boardwalk as a result of further funding has been provided in areas around the loch where it was considered the ground did not meet safety standards.
