Lock the door Lariston

Lock the door Lariston

Lock the Door Lariston is a poem written in the early 1800’s by James Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd.   The poem is a homage to the far older Border Ballads, but for me it really captures the mood and intensity of that writing. have a...
The Douglas Tragedy

The Douglas Tragedy

Of all Sir Walter Scott’s Border Ballads “The Douglas Tragedy” is the only one with an exact geographical location in the story.   But the places in this stirring romantic tragedy have been lost to the sands of time. Today I go looking for them, in the beautiful...
Searching For Johnnie Armstrong

Searching For Johnnie Armstrong

Johnnie Armstrong was one of the most notorious of all the Border Reivers. But there is still debate as to where Johnnie’s home and tower were.   I go searching around the Esk at Gilnknockie for clues to this important and elusive site…  ...
Scottish Borders Vikings

Scottish Borders Vikings

Ever wondered if any of your wild Border Reiver ancestors were descendants of the Vikings?   Join me as I search for evidence of these Norse raiders and settlers in the Borderlands….  ...