Hawick

Follow the Gododdin riders from Edinburgh to Catraeth around AD 600, through the Borderlands, Welsh poetry, Arthur and Hawick’s Teribus tradition.

Discover the lost medieval town of Roxburgh near Kelso: its royal streets, castle, people and the Anglo-Scottish wars that led to its disappearance.

The Ettrick hills still bear the name Forest. Follow the native woods, royal hunting grounds, sheep country and riverside trees through the centuries to see what changed.

How prized Borders wool made Roxburgh a royal trading centre and Berwick Scotland’s richest port — and how war broke the commercial world that connected them.

Peter Scott’s knitwear mill in Hawick was founded in 1878 and for nearly a century and a half shaped the Borders town’s textile legacy. From pioneering “unshrinkable” woollens to outfitting Antarctic explorers, this historic mill’s story spans innovation, community, and craftsmanship in Scotland’s cashmere capital.

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.

In the nineteenth century, William Thomson’s Tweed Vineyards at Clovenfords defied the Scottish climate. Beneath acres of glass, his grapes ripened for export across Britain, carried by rail from Galashiels to London.

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.

From medieval markets to online shopping, this sweeping history traces how retail shaped the Scottish Borders – from mercat crosses and family shops to supermarkets, discounters, and e-commerce – with Galashiels standing at the centre of the region’s ever-changing trade.

Long before castles and clans, the Selgovae ruled the Border hills. This Iron Age tribe fought the Romans, survived north of Hadrian’s Wall, and left a legacy that still echoes in the culture of the Anglo-Scottish Borderers and the reiving families who came after them.

Discover how World War II shaped the Scottish Borders: daily life, bombings, heroes, hidden airfields, war factories, and stories from every town.

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

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.

The King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) trace a proud lineage from the upheaval of 1689 through global conflicts to their 2006 merger. From battling Jacobites to storming Normandy, their story is woven into the heart of the Scottish Borders.

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.

In the rugged Rule Valley, a search unfolds for ancient fortified sites tied to the notorious Turnbulls — one of the most feared Border Reiver families. From Bedrule Castle to Fatlips Tower, their legacy still looms over the hills of the Scottish Borders.

Near Newcastleton, a remarkable site unfolds — a stone circle, castle ruins, and mysterious ditches all nestled within the forgotten landscape of Kirndean. 🏰🪨 It’s a place where ancient ritual, medieval power, and untold history collide.

Deep in the forests of the Tweed Valley, a search unfolds for a forgotten Border Reiver tower — hidden, weathered, and rich in untold stories. 🌲🏰 Amid solitude and trees, the legacy of Cardrona Tower rises once more.

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 Friday 17th August, Mark met with Craig and Becci Speers and their family for a special journey into the past — tracing the Armstrong lineage back through the Borderlands. 🛡️ Now living in Southport, they were eager to uncover how their Reiver ancestors came to settle far from the frontier they once called home.

The haunting silhouette of Buckholm Tower looms over the Gala Water, steeped in tales of cruelty and revenge. Said to be haunted by the victims of its infamous laird, these images capture the brooding atmosphere of one of the Borders’ darkest legends.

After the 1603 Union of the Crowns, King James VI/I cracked down on the Border Reivers — arresting, exiling, and executing many to create the peaceful “Middle Shires.” ⚖️ It marked the sudden end of centuries of violence and the rise of powerful families like the Dukes of Roxburgh and Buccleuch. Wonder why the Reivers disappeared so fast? Or how raiders beca

The Lowland Clearances quietly transformed the Scottish Borders in the 18th–19th centuries, displacing thousands as traditional villages gave way to industrial farms and estate improvements. Though less famous than their Highland counterpart, their impact was equally profound.

Visiting some modest waterfalls around Galashiels quickly turns into a bigger quest — to track down the wild, dramatic and rarely-seen Wolf Cleuch Falls near Hawick. A hidden gem deep in the Scottish Borders landscape.

In search of a hidden, mystical waterfall deep in the Scottish Borders, this journey also takes in some of the region’s better-known cascades — a blend of secret beauty and familiar power.

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.

Step into the past and explore the Then and Now of Cavers Castle — once a grand seat of Border power, now a hauntingly beautiful ruin nestled in the rolling hills of Roxburghshire. Witness how time, conflict, and nature have shaped this storied stronghold of the Douglas family.

Forgotten castles drift through a dream — one hidden beneath Selkirk’s soil, another clinging to Berwickshire’s cliffs. Were they ever real, or just echoes in the Borders mist?

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.

The Allure of the Borders Hills: Exploring Scotland’s Enchanting Landscape More reasons to discover what’s right on our doorstep in the stunning Scottish Borders.

Armstrong Day Tour from Discover Scottish Borders

The Battle of Hornshole is more than just a local legend — it’s a bold tale of Borders youth defying English raiders in 1514. 🏹 But how much of it is true, and what has been embroidered over time?