Have you ever wonder where the people of the Central Scottish Borders came from?
In this video we set out on a discovery which formed the towns of the Scottish Borders today and deciphered their placement.
Set in the time the Jesus was born in the Eastern world we find out exactly what was going on in the area that became known as the Scottish Borders.
Have you ever wondered where the people of the Central Scottish Borders came from?
In our latest video, we set out to uncover the forgotten origins of this ancient land—its early tribes, their settlements, and the legacy that still shapes the Borders we know today.
Set around the time of the birth of Jesus in the Eastern world, our journey takes a deep dive into what was happening right here in the land that would become the Scottish Borders. Long before castles and clans, this region was home to a tapestry of Celtic tribes, hill forts, and the first stirrings of recorded history.
Let’s explore the ancient tribal roots of the Borders—who they were, how they lived, and the mysterious marks they left behind.
🏞️ 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:
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 artifacts, and down into the Borders region.
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.
3. Novantae
📍 Territory: Primarily Galloway, reaching into the Borders
🏰 Culture: Hill fort builders and farmers
📜 Legacy: Part of the tribal resistance against Rome
Although centered 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 neighboring tribes, including the Selgovae.
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.
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.
🔍 Clues from the Earth: Archaeological Evidence
Hill Forts – Dotting the Borders landscape, these fortified settlements were more than military outposts. They were homes, community centers, and tribal capitals. Sites near Gala Hill and other elevated regions may once have housed Selgovae strongholds.
Artifacts – 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.
📜 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.
🧭 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.
🧬 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.
🧠 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.
🎥 Watch the full video to see how we uncovered the ancient roots of the Borders towns and landscapes. From the Selgovae’s hill forts to the Votadini’s trade routes—our journey into the past is only just beginning.
