Hawick Cottage Hospital (Former), Buccleuch Road, Hawick

10-bay, linear-plan, gabled, former hospital block with 2-storey, 3-bay, gabled section to E end and later symmetrical, 5-bay addition to right with canted corner bays (now linked by later-20th-century addition). 4-bay, flat-roofed, later block to far W linked by mid 20th century bay. Single-storey pitched and piended ancillary wings to rear with some later flat-roofed extensions. Coursed, droved sandstone with stugged and polished ashlar chamfered margined window openings. Rendered in part to rear. Base course. Gables with curved decorative bargeboards and small gablets in between; canted projecting bay with balustraded stone balcony; hexagonal bay with conical roof adjoining 5-bay canted timber veranda. Predominantly 6- over 2-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. Grey slate roofs with bracketed overhanging eaves and decorative timber bargeboards. Corniced sandstone gable and ridge stacks. Cast-iron rainwater goods.

Hawick Cottage Hospital is a good example of a purpose-built small regional hospital that displays some good Arts and Crafts detailing such as decorative timber bargeboarding. It is prominently sited on high ground overlooking the cricket ground to the north. The building has expanded over the years from the 1884 core, but the additions of 1924 and the later 1930s are sympathetic and form a cohesive whole. The hospital was built by public subscription, following a bazaar to raise funds, and was opened on 31 August 1885. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

April 2007: Borders College website reports on the purchase of the buildings for the purpose of building a new campus in the grounds and converting the hospital buildings as a residential development.
Planning permission for conversion of the hospital to form 14 residential units was granted in May 2007.

September 2009: Photographs from Scottish Borders Council from 2007 reveal that the buildings are vacant and boarded up. External inspection finds that the buildings remain vacant, but in reasonable condition.

August 2011: External inspection finds the buildings showing the first signs of accelerating decay with decorative woodwork to roofs being particularly poor. Though the site is protected by fencing, this has been breached and the buildings must now be vulnerable to vandalism. The site is being marketed for sale through agents Cottiers, offers invited, with permission for a total of 15 dwellings, of which 1 is a new build within the grounds.

30 October 2012: The Hawick News reports Guardian Care Homes have purchased the former cottage hospital.

10 November 2016: Limited external inspection possible due to security fencing. The site remains disused with openings boarded up. Dampness continues to be an issue: rainwater goods are chocked with vegetation and dampness to stonework is evident. A sapling grows within a balustrade. Security fencing has erected at the site. Risk level reduced to Moderate from High. Full Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent for restoration, partial demolition, and conversion to form 14 residential units and 1 new build dwelling were conditionally approved Aug 2015 ref: 12/00944/FUL & 12/00945/LBC.

15 February 2018: Scottish Borders Council advise they have received complaints of children accessing the buildings at the site.