Mark Nicol

Historian – Filmmaker – Blogger –
Guided Tours – Group Speaker

My Latest Video / Blog

Live Presentation in Galashiels Feb 2023

Thursday 9th February 2023 I will be giving a live presentation in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels at 7.30pm

Entrance Fee £4 ….. pay at the door

Delve into the untold history of Galashiels during the time of the Border Reivers, and how a lot of this history connects to a mysterious ancient drawbridge which once stood in the area.

About Discover Scottish Borders

Discover Scottish Borders is a website and social media stream to showcase an intrepid explorer of the Scottish Borders and the borderland between Scotland and England. I cover the Myths and legends as well as strange places – I also have a love for the wildlife that frequents this area! My website is for everyone who has a connection with the Scottish Borders, whether you live here, have visited (or even want to visit), your ancestors came from here or if you just like the look of this beautiful region!

 

Technically, as it stands today the Scottish Borders is a council areal formed in 1975 – Although my work is not to be confused as solely concentrating on the council area but rather the whole of the Anglo-Scottish border area that has seen some of the most extravagant moments in history of the British Isles
Historically, the term Borders has a wider meaning, referring to all of the burghs adjoining the English border, also including Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbrightshire — as well as Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmorland in England.

Roxburghshire and Berwickshire historically bore the brunt of the conflicts with England, both during declared wars such as the Wars of Scottish Independence, and armed raids which took place in the times of the Border Reivers. Thus, across the region are to be seen the ruins of many castles, abbeys and even towns.
The Scottish Borders has seen evidence from Pictish tribes, Roman Strongholds right through to important battles and documented papers that played a vital part of the several Wars of Independence.

Mark Nicol is the driving force behind Discover Scottish Borders, meticulously researching, scouting and presenting his videos that are unique and full of informative information and bringing the Borders Regions history and tales to life that are almost forgotten.
This is all done in Mark’s free time and days off!
 
 
It all started off one day with Mark exploring the local region and producing certain videos that were a way of documenting his explorations with a little bit of a fun element to add to better viewing and in context with Mark’s personality.
Things started to get a bit more serious when, with the near completion of the Borders Railway he decided to research the tourist capabilities of the areas of Galashiels and Tweedbank. This lead to a series of videos for visitors coming off the train to explore, such as walks and places to visit.
This captured a larger audience and viewers and in turn gave Mark a thirst to seek out the history and folklore of the regions in depth. At the time of writing this Mark’s YouTube channel has close to 200 videos each with its own story to tell.
The videos reach out far a field to the like of the USA, Canada, Australia and South Africa where people have a heart in the area from previous ancestors.
Discover Scottish Borders is growing all the time and becoming the hub for information of the Borders Regions.
Recently Mark has appeared in a BBC Regional Broadcast with his own segment telling the tale of the Border Reivers.
Mark is also in demand as a speaker at local community groups where he showcases his self-learnt knowledge.
Also, Mark takes carefully selected visitors to the region who want to explore the area and see for themselves the delights the regions hold.
When starting out and developing Discover Scottish Borders, Mark’s aim was to get people out and visiting these places and seeing for themselves. This can be gauged by the amount of correspondence we receive on the interest of subject matters.
Not only that, Discover Scottish Borders has been the forerunner of encouraging bloggers and YouTubers to produce their own content of their visit to a site and the exploration they have had, leaving a greater footprint of information as so more visitors may enjoy and discover the delights of our region.
In 2018 Mark was a finalist for “Visit Scotland: Scottish Thistle Award” as Regional Ambassador. Which is basically the Oscars of Scottish Tourism.
Things are looking well for Discover Scottish Borders!

More Of My Work

Shorts – Body Snatchers & Jougs

Taking a look at the interesting and macabre artefacts in Eckford Church yard.

The Holiest Place In the Scottish Borders?

A man investigates a mysterious, huge cross prominent on a remote hill side near Peebles.

The Douglas Tragedy

A man goes searching for a tower inhabited by the notorious Black Douglas, and a set of stones known as the Douglas Stones. All associated with the Border Ballad… “The Douglas Tragedy”
all set amongst the stunning Scottish Borders landscape

Big Cats In the Scottish Borders?

A man finds potential evidence of big cat activity in the Scottish Borders!!

Scottish Borders Legends…The Black Douglas

The life of Scotland’s fiercest ever warrior the Black Douglas.
Also the site of ancient Scottish fortress Roxburgh Castle is investigated.

Shorts – Black Douglas Outlaw King

The Black Douglas in the new Netflix movie Outlaw King

Tunneling Tommy The Teviotdale Tiger

A man enters the cavernous abyss that is Peebles Neidpath Railway tunnel, searching for a long lost relative.

Cave of the Black Douglas

A man searches for the mysterious Ancrum caves and then goes on to look for a cave reputedly used by the Black Douglas himself near Jedburgh

Border Reivers may have used advance technology

Border Reivers may have developed such technologies that aided in their ability to survive and establish a network that may of died with them

Highland Tour pt2

A man from the Scottish Borders visits the Scottish Highlands

In the footsteps of William Wallace

A man traces the movements of William Wallace through the castles, churches, caves and battlefields of Southern Scotland and the Scottish Borders.

Scots Dyke

A man goes in search of the legendary Scots Dyke.

Winter Wildlife on the River Tweed

We think a lot more could be done to promote the area for wildlife tourism.

Heritage trees of Scotland

A man and his daughter search for heritage trees of Scotland in the grounds of Traquair house in the Scottish Borders

Soutra Aisle – In Pictures

Some pictures of our visit to Soutra Aisle

Shorts – Reivers murder

“Put to the horn” what can it mean?
A common punishment dished out to Border Reivers.

Braw Lads Gathering Galashiels 2019

All the Scottish Border towns have “Common Ridings” or Gatherings each summer to commemorate the history and traditions of each place. The horse has been an integral part of Border culture since the Reiving times.

Whytbank Tower – Scottish Borders Haunted Towers

A man investigates the eerie Whytbank Tower, Clovenfords in the Scottish Borders with some alarming results.

Water Bull of Cauldshiels Loch

We recently sacrificed our new year to camp out and find some crucial evidence for the legend and existence of the “Tarbh Uisge”

Shorts – Cauldshiels hill fort and the Catrail

A look at Cauldshiels Hill, hill fort and the stand-off with the Rink fort and Catrail across the valley

What Else Do I Do?

Day and Extended Tours

I operate day tours and extended tours originating in the Scottish Borders and outreaching to the rest of Scotland & parts of England to tell the tales of the Anglo-Scots Borderlands

The Itinerary is customised to aid history buffs, spiritual seekers, family heritage research and general appreciation of the Scottish Borders beautiful landscapes and rolling hills

Group Speaking

I am also available to provide talks for groups who are interested in the history of the Borders Region

As you can see, Mark has a real passion for the unknown and forgotten history and presents his videos in a unique way to engage an audience and bring a fun way of keeping the Borders Spirit alive”

 

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