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

MERLINS CAVE AND GRAVE

A man investigates the Wizard Merlin’s supposed baptism and conversion to the Christian faith in Scotland. And searches for the remote and hidden Merlin’s Cave.

Heavily Defended Galashiels

A nightmare(ish) glimpse of the future where everybody wants to get into a heavily defended Galashiels.

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”

WW2 Bunkers and Iron Age Forts

A man searches for a top secret World War 2 Operations bunker + Iron age hill fort, all amongst the stunning Scottish Borders countryside.

Scottish Borders Witch Project

A man investigates the brutal witch hunts carried out in the Scottish Borders in the 1500s. A period in history which has largely been swept under the carpet.

The Holiest Place In the Scottish Borders?

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

Shorts – Twizel Castle

We investigate Twizel castle in Northumberland. One of many castles built on the Anglo-Scots Border to protect from marauding Scots armies.

Borders Horrific Xmas

A man investigates ancient monuments and lost villages of Berwickshire then has a supernatural experience at Foul Ford

Extreme Scottish Borders Sea Caves

A man searches for a legendary underground cavern. Seemingly only accessible through a long tunnel on a beach. Long lost and forgotten, not on any maps…. is it real?

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

Highland Tour pt1

A man from the Scottish Borders visits the Scottish Highlands and ponders which is better

The Allure of The Borders Hills

Simply more reasons to Discover whats on our door step in the Scottish Borders.

Kingfisher in Hawick

Captured!- Kingfisher in Hawick

Otters in Galashiels

A man and his greyhound spot some otters in a small secluded burn near Galashiels

Hindhope Linn waterfall

A man looks at Hindhope Linn waterfall and the enchanting forest it cascades through, in Northern England.

King Arthur in the Scottish Borders

A man investigates the connection of King Arthur in the Scottish Borders.

The Brothers

The brothers standing stones, Smailholm tower and the Cow Stone

Wallace’s Tower Roxburgh

A man investigates a ruined 16th century tower house in the village of Roxburgh, Scottish Borders. The tower is not connected with William Wallace. Warning – contains some bad language.

Druid Stone Circle in the Tweed Valley

A man searches for a Druid Stone Circle in the remotest part of the Tweed Valley in the the Scottish Borders.

Shorts – Scottish Borders Deer

A man gets some lucky footage of a deer near Galashiels in the Scottish Borders

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”

 

Follow me on…..

Follow me on my Social Streams where exclusive and extra content can be found
A like and follow of my channels goes a long way in encouraging me to create more fascinating content for you!

Contact me