Newcastleton was built as a result of the land clearances in the 1790s when people were forced to move from Old Castleton village.

"Copshaw Holm" (another name for the village) is celebrated in the song "Copshawholm Fair", written by David Anderson in 1830, as sung by Willie Scott among others.

[7] The Copshie participants parody the over-formality of nearby Langholm and other pageants, by proceeding on bikes, giving four cheers instead of three, toasting with tequila instead of whisky, and not taking themselves too seriously.

Newcastleton railway station provided rail services from 1862 until its closure in 1969 as part of the Beeching cuts.

Agriculture and forestry is the main provider of employment, many people also travel to Carlisle, Hawick & Langholm for work.