Duns

From spinning yarns to etching circuits, the Scottish Borders quietly powered a new era of industry. This blog explores the rise of electronics giants like Bepi, Exacta, and Viasystems in Galashiels and Selkirk—how they transformed rural skill into global tech.

Laidlaw & Fairgrieve was a cornerstone of Galashiels’ textile boom from the 1860s until its closure in 1999. Founded by pioneers William Laidlaw and Thomas Fairgrieve, the mill churned out high-quality woollen and cashmere yarns that helped shape Galashiels and Selkirk. This post traces L&F’s story – its innovative machinery, its place in the local community

For centuries, the post connected the scattered farms and towns of the Scottish Borders. From riders and mail coaches to railways and rural vans, the Post Office became the heartbeat of community life.

Discover the remarkable story of the fire service in the Scottish Borders — from volunteer brigades and horse-drawn pumps to modern engines and major rescues. This in-depth history uncovers station origins, heroic incidents, and local firefighting folklore.

I set out to hunt down every movie location that used the Scottish Borders as its backdrop — from epic castles to quiet valleys captured on screen. The Borders may be hidden in real life, but on film, they shine.

Among the crumbling walls of Elibank Castle, a search begins for the elusive and unsettling False Widow spiders. 🕷️ Blending ancient ruins with modern fears, this creepy encounter brings a new kind of chill to the Scottish Borders.

In the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall, a search unfolds for a lost Mithraic temple — a sacred site once devoted to Mithras, the Roman sun god. ☀️ Along the way, intriguing connections emerge between this ancient cult and early Christianity, challenging what we think we know about faith and empire.

Using old maps and historical clues, a search unfolds across the Scottish Borders to uncover the forgotten sites where thousands of women were executed as witches in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Perched above the Leader Water, the ruins of Whitslaid Tower stand as a silent testament to 300 years of Lauder family strength and Border conflict. 🏰 Built in the 15th–16th century with thick vaulted walls and winding stairs, this peel tower once guarded a rugged stretch of Berwickshire.

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 the eerie ruins of Whytbank Tower near Clovenfords reveals more than just crumbling stone — strange sensations and unsettling signs suggest this Border Reiver stronghold still guards its secrets. 🏰 What was meant to be a simple exploration takes a chilling turn.

In the quiet hills of Peeblesshire, a search begins for a little-known Roman fort — far from the grandeur of Hadrian’s Wall. 🏛️ The investigation reveals stark contrasts between the frontier forts of the Scottish Borders and the heavily fortified zones further south, shedding light on how the Romans viewed and managed Caledonia.

While filming a piece on the notorious Border Reivers at Hermitage Castle, an unexpected figure appears on camera — eerie, unexplained, and possibly not of this world…

They don’t build them like this anymore! Edin’s Hall Broch near Duns is a rare Iron Age roundhouse — part fort, part home, all mystery. A marvel of prehistoric engineering, still standing proud in the Borders landscape.

Uncover the story of Scotland’s fiercest warrior — the legendary Black Douglas. Then journey to the ruins of Roxburgh Castle, once a mighty stronghold at the heart of Scotland’s medieval wars.