Hidden Histories Of The Scottish Borders

Thistle And Time

Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders uncovers the forgotten stories behind the region’s most fascinating castles, tower houses, and historic ruins. Journey through the Scottish Borders as each episode explores a single site, revealing its dramatic past, the families who lived there, and the conflicts that shaped it. From the lawless days of the Border Reivers to bloody raids, civil wars, and tales steeped in folklore, this podcast brings history vividly to life. All hosted by David. Season Two is now live, with new episodes every Thursday.

  1. 5 days ago

    Old Thirlestane Tower, Forgotten Home Of The Maitlands

    Discover the forgotten history of Old Thirlestane Tower, near Lauder in the Scottish Borders. Once the home of the powerful Maitland family, this medieval Border stronghold stood on an important route between the Scottish Borders and Edinburgh. Explore its connections to the Border Reivers, the Rough Wooing, Mary, Queen of Scots, the Marian Civil War and the rise of the Maitlands to national political power. Find out how the ruined tower was eventually superseded by the magnificent Thirlestane Castle at Lauder. Music credits Vopna and Prepare For War both by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords)  https://creatorchords.com Eight Mountains by Savfk  https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic Above music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Podcast theme music from pixabay.com

  2. 27 Aug

    The Fascinating Story Of Dryburgh Abbey

    Journey into the peaceful ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, one of the most beautiful medieval monasteries in the Scottish Borders. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, discover the remarkable story of the Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1150, its repeated destruction during the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Rough Wooing, its connections to Robert the Bruce, Sir Walter Scott and the legends that still haunt its ancient stones. From Norman nobles and medieval monks to English invasions, royal patronage and ghostly folklore, this episode uncovers nearly 900 years of history beside the River Tweed. Whether you're planning a visit to Dryburgh Abbey, exploring the Borders Abbey Way, or simply fascinated by Scottish history, this is the story behind one of Scotland's most atmospheric historic sites. Music Credits Eight Mountains by Savfk https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic In Search Of Solitude by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Jul by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley All promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Podcast theme from Pixabay.com

  3. 20 Aug

    Cockburnspath Tower, A Hidden Castle Of The Scottish Borders

    Discover the remarkable story of Cockburnspath Tower, one of the Scottish Borders' most overlooked medieval fortresses. Hidden beside the A1 in Berwickshire, this atmospheric ruin once guarded the principal coastal route between England and Scotland and stood at the centre of centuries of royal intrigue, noble rivalries and border warfare. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore the fortunes of the Earls of Dunbar and March, the Homes and Douglases, the Rough Wooing, Margaret Tudor's connection to the tower, and its eventual decline after the Union of the Crowns. Join David as he uncovers the fascinating history behind this forgotten stronghold, explaining why Cockburnspath Tower played such an important role in defending Scotland's eastern frontier. If you enjoy Scottish history, medieval castles, Border history, the Border Reivers and hidden heritage sites, this episode offers a compelling journey into one of the Borders' best-kept secrets. For photographs, visitor information and more detailed historical articles, visit www.thistleandtime.scot Music credits: At The End Of All Things | Aurora | Celestial | Filaments  All by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  4. 13 Aug

    Greenkowe Tower: A Quiet Survivor Of Border Turmoil

    In episode 30 of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders podcast, we visit Greenknowe Tower near Gordon. This well-preserved tower house has witnessed centuries of Scottish history, being built towards the end of the Border Reivers era. But the most turbulent period of its history came in the 17th century with the Covenanters, the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and the religious suppression that followed the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Today, it is protected as a scheduled ancient monument managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Visitors can still walk the short path from the roadside layby and stand beneath its towering walls.  In this episode, host David tells the story of Greenknowe Tower from its construction by the Setons and the dramatic events that overtook its later resident, Walter Pringle. For more information about Greenknowe Tower and other fascinating historic places across the Borders, visit https://thistleandtime.scot. (All music from pixabay.com)

  5. 6 Aug

    Torwoodlee Tower: Raids, Reivers and Covenanters

    In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore the fascinating story of Torwoodlee Tower near Galashiels. Discover how this impressive sixteenth-century tower house became entwined with the violent world of the Border Reivers, the devastating aftermath of the Battle of Flodden, bitter clan feuds, and the religious upheavals that shaped seventeenth-century Scotland. Follow the fortunes of the Pringle family as they endured murder, political persecution, exile and eventual restoration during one of the most turbulent periods in Scottish history. Today, Torwoodlee Tower stands as one of the Scottish Borders' lesser-known historic sites. Join host David as he uncovers the stories behind this hidden landmark and explains why it remains an important reminder of Scotland's past. For more information about Torwoodlee Tower and other fascinating historic places across the Borders, visit https://thistleandtime.scot. Music in this Podcast "A Kind of Hope" "At The End Of All Things" and "Discovery" All by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  6. 21 May

    Timpendean Tower, The Fortress That Refused To Die

    Explore the dramatic history of Timpendean Tower in this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders. Set near Jedburgh along the River Teviot, this 16th-century Border tower reveals a story of resilience, warfare, and survival. Discover how the powerful Douglas family shaped life in the Borders, their connection to the notorious Border Reivers, and how the tower was nearly destroyed during the Rough Wooing under Henry VIII. Burned in 1545 and later rebuilt, Timpendean stands today as a powerful reminder of Scotland’s turbulent past. Perfect for listeners interested in Scottish history, castle ruins, Border Reivers, and hidden historic sites, this episode brings to life one of the Borders’ most overlooked landmarks. For photographs and more information, please see https://thistleandtime.scot Music credits Aurora by Scott Buckley | In Search Of Solitude by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Podcast theme from Pixabay.com

  7. 14 May

    Neidpath Castle, 800 Years Of History

    Rising from a rocky crag above the River Tweed, Neidpath Castle has witnessed nearly eight hundred years of Scottish history. We begin with the Frasers, and follow the extraordinary story of Sir Simon Fraser: a man who fought for the English, changed sides to join William Wallace, and then defeated an English army three times in a single day. We then trace three centuries of Hay family ownership: the building of the L-plan tower house that still stands today, royal visits from Mary Queen of Scots and James VI, and the violent world of the Border Reivers. We explore Cromwell's disputed siege of 1650, the castle's remarkable resilience, and its later life in the hands of the Douglas and Wemyss families. And we end with two of Scotland's greatest literary figures: William Wordsworth, and Sir Walter Scott. Today, Neidpath Castle remains privately owned by the Wemyss family. A place where the past is very much still present (https://www.neidpathcastle.com). This is the penultimate episode in series 1 of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders. After next week’s episode, the series will return in August. Music All music and sound effects from Pixabay.com

  8. 7 May

    Traquair House, Nine Centuries Of Hidden History

    Discover the hidden history of Traquair House, near Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, one of Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited houses, with nearly 900 years of extraordinary stories within its ancient walls. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore how a royal hunting lodge became a fortified tower house, then a lairdly residence, a Jacobite refuge, and a clandestine centre of Catholic worship, hosting 27 monarchs along the way, including Mary Queen of Scots, who visited in 1566 with her infant son, the future James VI. From the Wars of Independence and the Border Reivers to the doomed Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745, Traquair House sat at the heart of Scotland's most turbulent centuries. We uncover the secret Priest's Room, the remarkable Winifred Maxwell, and the legend of the Bear Gates — locked shut since Bonnie Prince Charlie's visit and never reopened. Whether you're a Scottish history enthusiast, a Borders explorer, or simply love untold stories from Scotland's past, this episode of our Scottish history podcast is essential listening. For more information, please see https://thistleandtime.scot Music credits: Eight Mountains by Savfk  https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic Village Ambiance by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords)   https://creatorchords.com Phase Shift by Scott Buckley   At The End Of All Things by Scott Buckley  https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley All above music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

See All (33)

Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders uncovers the forgotten stories behind the region’s most fascinating castles, tower houses, and historic ruins. Journey through the Scottish Borders as each episode explores a single site, revealing its dramatic past, the families who lived there, and the conflicts that shaped it. From the lawless days of the Border Reivers to bloody raids, civil wars, and tales steeped in folklore, this podcast brings history vividly to life. All hosted by David. Season Two is now live, with new episodes every Thursday.

Information