Modern Social History

High above Peebles, the cone-shaped summit of Newby Kipps rises like a silent sentinel over the Tweed Valley.

Peel Hospital near Galashiels served the Borders for decades in wartime huts. Discover its unique story and why the Borders General Hospital replaced it.

Moffat became Scotland’s first spa town after mineral springs were discovered in the 17th century, drawing visitors from far and wide. 🧴 Today, it blends quirky charm, scenic beauty, and rich heritage.

Dive into the brutal 11th century, where William Rufus battled Scottish kings and rebellious lords to control the northern frontier. ⚔️ From Northumbria’s battlegrounds to a king’s death in the New Forest, this was the making of the Anglo-Scottish border.

One misty morning, a lone climber reaches the summit of the Eildon Hills and breaks through the fog into golden stillness. 🌄 Above the clouds, the Borders lie hidden—silent, ancient, and sublime.

In the remote reaches of the Tweed Valley near Fruid Reservoir, a search begins for a forgotten Druid stone circle hidden among the hills. 🪨 Here, ancient myths and rugged landscapes converge in one of the Borders’ most mystical settings.

Compelling evidence emerges of Viking settlers in the Scottish Borderlands — from hogback graves to Norse place names etched into the land. ⚔️ These quiet traces reveal a forgotten chapter of Scandinavian influence south of the Highlands.

Drawn to a hill near his new home, an early riser sets out in the darkness to catch the sunrise over Innerleithen. 🌄 As light breaks over Lee Pen, the Scottish Borders reveal their quiet, breathtaking beauty.

A father and daughter visit the breathtaking Falls of Clyde, where cascading waterfalls meet ancient woodland in Southern Scotland. 💧🌲 It’s a perfect blend of nature, history, and quality time near New Lanark.

On the rugged east coast of the Scottish Borders, a search begins for a mysterious cave near Cove Harbour — whispered to have once sheltered smugglers and secrets. 🌊 Hidden in the cliffs, it’s a place where history meets the thrill of discovery.

In an archived live conversation, Mark shares the Borders books that have helped him follow stories, places and people across the region.

In the hills and valleys of the Scottish Borders, a search unfolds for ancient hill forts and stone circles once sacred to pre-Christian peoples. 🌀 Long before Christmas, these pagan communities marked the Winter Solstice with rituals tied to the land — but does the evidence still remain?

A search begins for a legendary underground cavern said to lie hidden beneath the sands near Cove Harbour, reachable only by a secret tunnel. 🌊 Long forgotten and absent from maps, this mysterious place blurs the line between myth and reality.

Climbing the Eildon Hills before dawn, the rising sun casts golden light across the Borders — and with it, a sense of something ancient stirring. 🌄 In that still moment, the presence of the mountain spirit feels almost real.

Exploring the woods of the Scottish Borders, a rich and overlooked food source reveals itself — acorns, beech nuts, and other wild edibles in abundance. 🌰 Nature provides freely, if you know where (and how) to look.

After visiting the dramatic Scottish Highlands, a traveller from the Borders reflects on how his home region quietly rivals that beauty — with rolling hills, rich history, and landscapes untouched by crowds. 🏞️ The Borders may be lesser-known, but they’re just as unforgettable.

Visiting the Scottish Highlands sparks a quiet question — can the wild beauty of the north outshine the rolling hills and deep history of the Borders? 🏞️ Both regions offer their own magic, but in the Borders… there are no midges.

This summer, Bill Jeffrey is taking on the Southern Upland Way to raise funds for Galashiels’ Christmas lights — bringing festive cheer one step at a time! 🎄🚶‍♂️ Support the cause and follow his journey.

On 1st June 2019, thousands marched peacefully through the streets of Galashiels as part of the All Under One Banner movement, calling for Scottish Independence. 🟡 It was a powerful show of unity, pride, and hope from the heart of the Borders.

In a quiet moment, dreams drift to riverscapes and the flash of a kingfisher’s wings — vibrant, fleeting, and full of wonder. 🐦💭 Along the winding waters of the Scottish Borders, nature whispers in stillness.

Bingo!!! Finally captured a kingfisher on film in Galashiels — a flash of electric blue along the Gala Water! 🐦💙 Proof that even in town, nature’s magic is never far away.

On the windswept cliffs of St Abbs Head, a search begins for the lost site of St Æbbe’s monastery — a beacon of early Celtic Christianity once known as the “Iona of the East.” ⛪ Though the monastery has long vanished, the sacredness of the place still lingers in the wild beauty of the land and sea.

While out filming, I was lucky enough to catch a buzzard soaring overhead — a brief but majestic encounter with one of the Borders’ top predators. 🦅 Nature always rewards patience!

An investigation into what may be the very first Christian site in Scotland uncovers a remarkable relic — possibly the oldest of its kind — marking a turning point in spiritual history. ✝️ It’s a powerful symbol of the moment ancient Pagan beliefs began to give way to the rise of early Christianity.

A short archive film introducing Mark Nicol’s passion for the places, mysteries and history of the Scottish Borderlands.

An exploration of the vast cave system at Grahamslaw in the Scottish Borders reveals carved chambers, tunnels, and secrets lost to time. 🕳️ It’s the kind of place where fact blurs into fiction — perfect for the pilot of a dark Borders-based mystery series.

A visit to the former site of RAF Charterhall in the Scottish Borders uncovers the haunting silence of what was once a bustling WW2 airfield. ✈️ Known as “Slaughterhall” due to its tragic training losses, the ground still echoes with the memory of those who never came home.

From the remote hills of the Scottish Borders to the sacred splendour of Durham Cathedral, a journey unfolds tracing the life and legacy of St Cuthbert. ✝️ Hermit, healer, and saint — his path weaves through solitude, miracles, and a burial that shaped the spiritual heart of Northern England.

While exploring ancient monuments and lost villages in Berwickshire, the journey takes an eerie turn at Foul Ford — where a supernatural encounter leaves a lasting impression. 🕯️ Some places don’t just hold history… they hold something else.

An investigation into stone circles along the Scotland–England border uncovers dramatic alignments, ancient energies, and forgotten ritual sites. 🪨 These mysterious monuments still pulse with the presence of a long-lost world.

In a surreal, nightmare-ish vision of the future, Galashiels becomes a fortress — its streets barricaded, its borders guarded, and everyone desperate to get in. 🏰 What could possibly make this quiet Borders town the centre of such chaotic desire?

Our Very own Mark Nicol on The Peoples History Show – STV

Uncovering dramatic traces of the Knights Templar in the Scottish Borders — secret symbols, sacred sites, and stories long forgotten.

Climbing Ruberslaw for the first time reveals breathtaking views across the Scottish Borders. It’s a summit that stirs awe, history, and a sense of timelessness.

While walking along the River Tweed, an observer captures the timeless spectacle of salmon leaping upstream. A powerful reminder of nature’s seasonal rhythms in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

It began with excitement. Then came the cancellation. And just when steam fans gave up hope—she roared back to life.

While exploring the harbour town of Eyemouth, rare visitors appear — dolphins dancing through the waves, just offshore. A fleeting but unforgettable glimpse of marine life in the Scottish Borders.

Explore the shadowy world of 18th and 19th century smuggling in the Scottish Borders — from quiet inland tracks to secretive coastal coves. Hidden cellars, daring routes, and the forgotten trade that once thrived here.

Climb to the summit of Broad Law — the highest hill in the Scottish Borders — and take in breathtaking views before a wild descent back down. A joyful adventure in the heart of Border country.

Pringle tour from Discover Scottish Borders

It may surprise many to learn that during the 13th and 14th centuries, two cities within the Scottish Borders held remarkable influence as hubs of European politics and commerce. Though now vanished or diminished, these once-thriving centres shaped the course of Scottish and continental affairs.

Will H. Ogilvie was born in 1869 at Holefield Farm near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. He would go on to become one of the great Bush Balladeers of Australia, yet he always carried the Borderlands in his heart and verse.

The Braw Lads’ Gathering in Galashiels is a proud celebration of Border heritage, uniting history, horses, and community spirit. 🐎 From dawn ride-outs to the symbolic Mixing of the Roses, tradition rides strong.