Mark Nicol
Historian – Filmmaker – Blogger –
Guided Tours – Group Speaker
My Latest Video / Blog
Romans in the Borders week on Discover Scottish Borders
A week’s worth of my videos on how the Romans lived and influenced the Scottish Borders 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.
This is all done in Mark’s free time and days off!
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.
More Of My Work
Shorts – Scottish Borders Autumn
by Mark Nicol | October 19, 2018 | Videos | 0 Comments
Scott’s View and Stichill Linn waterfall in the Scottish Borders Autumn
Falls of Clyde
by Mark Nicol | September 18, 2020 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man and his daughter visit the spectacular Falls of Clyde in Southern Scotland.
Cycling to History
by Mark Nicol | November 30, 2020 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man uses a bicycle to reach some 16th century towers in the Scottish Borders, war-torn ancient landscape.
Quest for the Crystal Well
by Mark Nicol | November 17, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for the mysterious Crystal Well in the Scottish Borders, with some terrifying results…
Galashiels Mysteries – Wallace’s Putting Stone
by Mark Nicol | March 16, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man goes in search of the legendary “Wallace’s Putting Stone” at the summit of Meigle Hill in Galashiels.
Shorts – Relics of Roxburgh
by Mark Nicol | March 23, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
The ancient town of Roxburgh lies buried and forgotten. Only 2 stone relics survive from the lost town. A man takes a look at them.
Scottish Border’s Waterfalls
by Mark Nicol | January 25, 2017 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man serches for a mystical, beautiful largely unknown waterfall in the Scottish Borders. Taking in some more well known ones on the journey.
Scottish Borders Caves
by Mark Nicol | August 27, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for more caves in the Scottish Borders, this time near the village of Roxburgh
The Battle of Melrose
by Mark Nicol | May 7, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man finds an old engraving of a standing stone and decides to investigate. Then tries to locate this lost and forgotten monument
Hill Fort Bagging in the Scottish Borders
by Mark Nicol | October 27, 2020 | Bloggings | 0 Comments
A man discovers several hill forts in a five mile walk from Peebles
Battle of Carham
by Mark Nicol | December 14, 2018 | Videos | 0 Comments
The Scottish Borders and Lothians are celebrating 1000 years of being Scottish this year.
We investigate the Battle if Carham which dictated this.
Genocide in the Scottish Borders
by Mark Nicol | January 8, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
Complete genocide of the Scottish Borders people.
One of the lesser known objectives of the Roman army in Southern Caledonia…..
Origin of the Species
by Mark Nicol | December 18, 2015 | Videos | 0 Comments
Have you ever wonder where the people of the Central Scottish Borders came from?
Braw Lads Gathering Galashiels 2019 pt2
by Mark Nicol | June 29, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
The cavalcade of horses reaches the town centre and the people remember the fallen hero’s of Flodden, Ancrum Moor, Bannockburn, WWI and WII, in Galashiels, Scottish Borders
Shorts – Old Drawbridge Galashiels
by Mark Nicol | February 15, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man hunts for evidence of an ancient drawbridge in Galashiels.
Loch Ness and Skye
by Mark Nicol | October 17, 2020 | Videos | 0 Comments
Scenery highlights from touring Loch Ness and Skye
Gala Aisle Gravestone Translation
by Mark Nicol | August 9, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man finds the translation of a 17th century Latin inscribed gravestone in Galashiels, which remembers the battle of Dunbar
The Brothers
by Mark Nicol | February 16, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
The brothers standing stones, Smailholm tower and the Cow Stone
Crossing the Anglo-Scots Border
by Mark Nicol | September 15, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for a mysterious, eerie tunnel which bores through the cliffs at the eastern extremity of the Scottish / English Border.
Scottish Borders Coast
by Mark Nicol | March 10, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man investigates the site of a pivotal moment in World War 1
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”