Mark Nicol
Historian – Filmmaker – Blogger –
Guided Tours – Group Speaker
My Latest Video / Blog
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
Sunrise and Spirits
by Mark Nicol | September 8, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man climbs the Eildon Hills in the Scottish Borders to witness the sunrise and find the mountain spirit.
Otters in Galashiels
by Mark Nicol | June 1, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man and his greyhound spot some otters in a small secluded burn near Galashiels
Covenanter Murder – John Hunter 1685
by Mark Nicol | May 22, 2018 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man investigates the murder , in 1685, of a Covenanter based soley on his religion amid the stunning scenery of Tweedsmuir and the Scottish Borderlands.
War & Religion on the Tweed
by Mark Nicol | December 15, 2017 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for the lost and forgotten Chapel of St Cuthbert on the banks of the River Tweed, along the way looking at other churches and legendary stories from the area
Winter Wildlife on the River Tweed
by Mark Nicol | February 6, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
We think a lot more could be done to promote the area for wildlife tourism.
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.
Secrets of Jedburgh Abbey
by Mark Nicol | January 25, 2018 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for lost and ruined churches around Jedburgh, then investigates who was buried in Jedburgh Abbey to make it such a sacred place.
Old Melrose WW2 Bunker
by Stuart Wilson | October 18, 2017 | Bloggings | 0 Comments
In pictures – Our visit to Old Melrose WW2 Bunker
Not Outlander this is real!
by Mark Nicol | December 16, 2017 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man investigates stone circles in the Borderlands between Scotland and England, with some dramatic results.
The 3 Brochs of Galashiels
by Mark Nicol | May 15, 2017 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for the 3 stone age Brochs which survived in the Galashiels area at the beginning of the first millennium.
Borders Tours – Edins Hall Broch
by Mark Nicol | January 23, 2020 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man explores 2000 year old Edins Hall Broch in the Scottish Borders, and talks about tours to this site.
Willie Armstrong’s Grave
by Mark Nicol | November 18, 2018 | Videos | 0 Comments
The graves of Border Reivers are few and far between.
In this new film we go looking for one of the most notorious of all ….Kinmont Willie Armstrong’s burial
place..
Heavily Defended Galashiels
by Mark Nicol | July 31, 2017 | Videos | 0 Comments
A nightmare(ish) glimpse of the future where everybody wants to get into a heavily defended Galashiels.
Scottish Borders Smugglers
by Mark Nicol | August 26, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man investigates the smuggling trade in the Scottish Borders throughout the 18th and 19th century. Visiting smuggling hotspots inland and along the coast.
Sacred Scottish Yew Trees
by Mark Nicol | October 11, 2018 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for ancient, sacred, huge, impressive yew trees in Southern Scotland, and wonders why they are so revered
Scottish Border Legends: Little Jock Elliot
by Mark Nicol | October 28, 2016 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man investigates the life of notorious Scottish Border Reiver, Little Jock Elliot. And looks into the real reason Mary Queen of Scots was in Jedburgh
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.
The Poems of Will H Ogilvie
by Stuart Wilson | March 25, 2016 | Bloggings | 0 Comments
Will H Ogilvie was born at Holefield Farm near Kelso, Scotland in 1869.
Standing Stones 3 Ways
by Mark Nicol | January 30, 2019 | Videos | 0 Comments
A man searches for different types of standing stones in the Scottish Borders.
All filmed and produced on an iPhone 7z
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
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”