Battles at Philiphaugh are not actually a new idea they go back to 1645

Football battles in Borders country are not a new idea either despite football being banned in Scotland by law in 1424

Carterhaugh ba' took place in 1815 and saw teams drawn from the estates of Duke Charles of Buccleuch take on the men of Selkirk, Hawick and Gala in a contest involving hundreds of players and very few rules.
Sir Walter Scott, responsible perhaps more than any other figure in the arts for raising the issue of Scottish cultural identity, was involved in designing a commemorative 'cup' or plate and was present on the day.

 The idea for the Carterhaugh ba' originated at a dinner held by Duke Charles at Bowhill House. He and his brother in law, the Earl of Home, would captain a team of shepherds, farmers and other tenants.

On 4 December they faced an opposition made up of a large body of men who had marched 12 miles from Hawick to join up with teammates from Selkirk and Gala. All enjoyed a dram before play started.

Which leads us to Saturday when we see the players of Hawks 1st and 2nd XVs travel to Philiphaugh to play the Souters 
2nd XV match ---KO 2.30 pm
1st XV match ---KO 3.00 pm

This article was posted on 19-Sep-2012, 13:34 by Hugh Barrow.