Origin of the Species: Tribes of the Central Scottish Borders

A Land of Ancient Tribes

The Central Borders, with its rolling hills, river valleys, and rich farmland, was a natural hub for early settlement. Tribes rose and fell here, interacting with each other and eventually clashing with the mighty Roman Empire.

Among the key tribal groups known to have inhabited this region during the Iron Age and early Roman period were:

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1. Votadini

Territory: East Lothian, West Lothian & parts of the Borders
Culture: Agricultural, artistic, and politically savvy
Legacy: Known for trade, metalwork, and interactions with the Romans

The Votadini were one of the dominant Celtic tribes in southeastern Scotland. Living in clan-based societies, they are mentioned in the works of Ptolemy, the Roman geographer, and are thought to have worked both with and against Roman forces. Their influence extended as far as Traprain Law, a major archaeological site rich in artefacts, and down into the Borders region.

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2. Selgovae

Territory: Dumfries & Galloway and eastern Borders
Culture: Warrior society, defensive hill forts
Legacy: Resisted Roman expansion, fought to defend their lands

The Selgovae were fierce defenders of their territory, mentioned by Roman historian Tacitus. They built impressive hill forts and resisted Roman encroachment with force. Their presence around Gala Hill, Gorkhelm, and beyond is part of the living folklore of Galashiels and the surrounding landscape.

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3. Novantae

Territory: Primarily Galloway, reaching into the Borders
Culture: Hill fort builders and farmers
Legacy: Part of the tribal resistance against Rome

Although centred further west, the Novantae extended influence into the Borders. Known for their fortifications and agricultural life, they shaped some of the defensive strategies adopted by neighbouring tribes, including the Selgovae.

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4. Brigantes

Territory: Northern England with reach into the southern Borders
Culture: Large tribal confederation, agricultural powerhouse
Legacy: Played both sides with the Romans—sometimes friend, sometimes foe

The Brigantes were the largest tribe in Britain at the time of the Roman conquest and had a foothold in the southern edges of the Borders. Their shifting alliances and vast territory make them a crucial part of the story of tribal Britain.

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5. Coritani (or Corieltauvi)

Territory: Central southern Scotland (and parts of England)
Culture: Socially structured, settled, and strategic
Legacy: Influenced Borders communities through trade and settlement

Though lesser-known in this region, the Coritani may have extended into central Scotland and the Borders through trade or seasonal migration, bringing new ideas and practices with them.

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Clues from the Earth: Archaeological Evidence

Hill Forts – Dotting the Borders landscape, these fortified settlements were more than military outposts. They were homes, community centres, and tribal capitals. Sites near Gala Hill and other elevated regions may once have housed Selgovae strongholds.

Artefacts – Pottery, tools, and metalwork unearthed across the region reveal daily life, trade, and artistic expression.

Cairns & Burial Sites – Burial mounds and ritual cairns offer glimpses into the spiritual world of these ancient peoples, their beliefs, and their social structures.

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The Selgovae: Warriors of the Central Borders

Arguably the most iconic local tribe, the Selgovae dominated much of what is now the Central Borders. Their presence is strongly felt in Galashiels’ surrounding hills, and some speculate they even influenced the layout of the early settlements that became towns today.

As fierce defenders of their land, they built hilltop forts and engaged in guerrilla-style tactics against the advancing Romans. Their resistance left scars—and stories—still whispered across the valleys.

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Mapping Myth and Memory: The Role of Place

Places like Gala Hill, Gorkhelm, and the Wallace Putting Stone are not only scenic spots—they’re steeped in folklore and tribal memory. While some are linked more to later figures like William Wallace, the landscape itself has seen wave after wave of history—tribal, Roman, medieval, and modern.

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The Legacy of the Tribes

Though the ancient tribes eventually faded or were absorbed into later cultures, their DNA is still in the soil—and possibly in the people. The Central Borders owes its early settlements, place names, and even its paths and boundaries to these early inhabitants.

They shaped a rugged and resilient identity that survives to this day in the towns, farms, and forests of the region.

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Final Thoughts: Rediscovering Our Roots

The tribes of the Central Scottish Borders may be shrouded in time, but they left behind clues—stone, soil, and story. As we walk the hills and trace old paths, we walk in their footsteps.

Whether through archaeology, oral tradition, or a spark of curiosity, exploring their world helps us understand not just where the Borders came from—but who we are.

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