Hawick set for tree-mendous Christmas after festive display axed
Last updated 17th Jun 2026
Councillors in Hawick have this morning (Wednesday) agreed a move which, it's hoped, will ensure the town has a Christmas tree for years to come.
It follows Scottish Borders Council's decision to stop providing the centrepiece of many a festive display to communities across the region in a bid to save around £13,000 a year.
The announcement - which coincided with an 8.5 per cent increase in council tax - led to the chairman of Hawick Community Council, Cameron Knox, accusing the local authority of having a "penny-pinching Scrooge-mentality".
A motion presented by SBC convener Watson McAteer (Independent, Hawick and Hermitage) asks officers to investigate whether a suitable tree can be sourced from woods owned by Hawick Common Good Fund.
“While (this motion is) in my name, it’s actually every one of us that are in behind this particular issue," Councillor McAteer said.
“I know each and every one of us were unhappy that the town weren’t being provided with a Christmas tree, but recognise, I think reluctantly, that the council were in a very difficult position around this.
"Not least because 47 per cent of people who completed (the council's budget) survey decided that spending more money on Christmas-related events was not acceptable compared to the 39 per cent who thought it was a good idea.
"But perhaps more importantly, of all the communities, there are 69 community councils in the Borders. Within that context, 11 receive a Christmas tree provided by the council. The rest don’t and need to provide, and have provided, their own.
"This very simple issue of equality, combined with some public opinion, I think led us sensibly to agree the budget position by the council, although we, at that point of time, I think all made a commitment to do our best to help resolve and find a solution for Hawick."
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The proposal - given unanimous backing - could also see an area of Hawick Common Good woodland set aside for planting Christmas trees, helping secure the town's festive display for years to come.
Noting the town's "substantial woodland assets", Councillor McAteer added: “That’s not an immediate solution… but may well solve a longer term one.”
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Members also agreed to ring-fence up to £1,500 if a tree cannot be sourced locally.
Seconding the motion, Councillor Stuart Marshall (Independent, Hawick and Denholm) said: “It will relieve a budgetary pressure and at the same time address an equality issue, and I think everybody will accept that.”
He added: “The townsfolk will be delighted this morning… and if it can be sourced and comes from elsewhere and is cheaper, that’s even better news.”
Councillor Annette Smart (SNP, Hawick and Hermitage) also supported the proposal.
She said: “I do have reservations about just having a tree arbitrarily chopped down for the purposes of Christmas every year.”
But she added: “We’re doing our own sustainability, I think is a really good idea. I think that's something that could be rolled out across the Borders, actually."
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It's not the first time Christmas trees have hit the headlines.
In 2023, Scottish Borders Council was forced to remove and replace a number of fir trees after they fell short of expectations - with some estimated to measure a little over half of the ordered height.
Councillor Clair Ramage (Independent, Hawick and Denholm) also backed the motion, saying Christmas trees are “something you might think is quite unimportant, is really important in our town.”
“It’s amazing how roundabout that time, the impact it has on our community,” she added.
"At least I think with this, it gives us more control over it. And it's a real feel-good thing."
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