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 one is complete, but Season Two returns on Thursday 6 August 2026.

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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/

  4. 30 Apr

    Bunkle Castle: Power Scandal and Ruin

    Hidden among the rolling landscape of Berwickshire, Bunkle Castle may appear little more than a forgotten ruin—but its story is anything but quiet. In this episode of “Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders”, uncover the dramatic past of this once-powerful stronghold, from its early Norman origins under David I of Scotland to its deep connections with the Stewart dynasty and Scotland’s royal line. Explore tales of war, scandal, and shifting loyalties, featuring figures like Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus and Margaret Tudor, before the castle’s destruction during the brutal Rough Wooing. Perfect for lovers of Scottish history, castles, and Borders heritage, this episode reveals how even the smallest ruins can hold the biggest stories. For photographs and more information, please see the website https://thistleandtime.scot All music from pixabay.com

  5. 23 Apr

    Saints, Stones and Secrets: The Story of Melrose Abbey

    What lies beneath the rose-coloured stones of Melrose Abbey? Founded in 1136 by King David I and the Cistercian monks, this magnificent Scottish Borders ruin has witnessed nine centuries of war, faith, folklore — and the extraordinary story of Robert the Bruce's heart, buried here after a crusade to the Holy Land. In this episode, we explore the full hidden history of one of Scotland's most iconic medieval ruins: the Wars of Scottish Independence, the brutal English raids, an abbey destroyed and rebuilt again and again, and the remarkable Gothic architecture that rose from those ashes. We also uncover the darker legends — including the tale of the Hunderprest, one of Britain's earliest documented vampire myths — and ask why a bagpipe-playing pig is carved into the abbey walls. Whether you're planning a visit to the Scottish Borders, fascinated by Scottish history, or simply love a good ghost story, this episode has something for you. For photographs and more information, please see the website https://thistleandtime.scot Music credits Emotional Piano Improvisation by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.com 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/ Sky by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Echoes of Rain by Ethereal 88 | https://ethereal88.bandcamp.com Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com I walk with Ghosts 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/

  6. 16 Apr

    A Bloody Day At Newark Tower

    Explore the dark and dramatic history of Newark Tower, also known as Newark Castle, in the Scottish Borders, a ruined stronghold overlooking the Yarrow Water near Selkirk. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, discover how this 15th-century tower-house survived sieges during the Rough Wooing, only to be burned and later rebuilt—before becoming the site of a notorious massacre following the Battle of Philiphaugh in 1645. Uncover the stories of war, destruction, and legend surrounding Newark Tower, including its role in the turbulent Border conflicts, and the chilling tales of hauntings said to echo through its ruins. Perfect for anyone interested in Scottish history, castles, Border conflicts, and historic sites to visit in the Scottish Borders. For photographs and more information, please see https://thistleandtime.scot Music credits Reverie by Scott Buckley | Beautiful Oblivion by Scott Buckley | Jul 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/

  7. 9 Apr

    The Lost Tower Of Whiteside

    Discover the forgotten story of Whiteside Tower, a ruined peel tower hidden in the Scottish Borders near Mellerstain House. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we learn how this small fortified tower once provided protection in a lawless landscape defined by   Border Reivers’ activity.  We also uncover the later history of the site under Robert Baillie of Jerviswood, a Covenanter martyr executed in 1684 during Scotland’s religious conflicts. From its earliest days, this episode reveals how one little-known ruin connects to some of the most dramatic events in Scottish history. For photographs and more information, see https://thistleandtime.scot Music credits: Sky by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/ Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US Village Ambience by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.com 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/

  8. 2 Apr

    Drochil Tower: Ambition, Power And Fall

    Explore the dramatic story of Drochil Castle, one of the most intriguing and unfinished castles in the Scottish Borders. Built in 1578 by James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, Regent of Scotland, this ambitious fortress-palace was intended to be his luxurious retirement residence. But Morton’s sudden fall from power and execution brought construction to an abrupt halt, leaving Drochil as a haunting reminder of political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and the turbulent final years of Mary, Queen of Scots' reign. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we uncover the fascinating rise and fall of Morton, explore the unique Z-plan design of Drochil Castle, and reveal how this remarkable ruin fits into the wider story of Scotland’s violent 16th-century politics. From royal conspiracies and regencies to unfinished walls that still dominate the Borders landscape near Peebles, this episode brings to life one of Scotland’s most overlooked historic castles. Perfect for listeners interested in Scottish history, ruined castles, and the hidden stories of the Borders. For photographs and more information about this and other places covered in the podcast series, please visit the website https://thistleandtime.scot

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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 one is complete, but Season Two returns on Thursday 6 August 2026.

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