Website terms.

The archive brings together historical research, local knowledge, on-location exploration, traditional tales and interpretation. Some stories survive in competing versions; folklore and dramatic recreations should not be read as documentary proof of every detail.

We aim to present information carefully, but research develops and mistakes can occur. Publication dates show when a story or film was first published, rather than a guarantee that every practical detail remains current. If you spot an error, please contact us with the page link and any supporting evidence so we can review it.

We explore the written histories and traditional tales of notable Border families and the characters associated with their names. We are not a genealogy or family-research service: we cannot trace individual ancestry, build family trees or establish a personal connection to a historical figure. Sharing a surname does not, by itself, demonstrate descent or kinship.

A place appearing in a story or film is not an assurance of public access, opening hours, safe conditions or suitability for every visitor. Some locations are private, fragile, remote or no longer accessible in the way shown.

Before travelling, check current information with the landowner, attraction or relevant local authority. Follow local access rules and signs, respect residents, wildlife and historic remains, and make suitable arrangements for weather, terrain and your own abilities. The archive is a source of heritage information, not a substitute for current route planning or individual safety advice.

Rights in articles, films, photographs, illustrations, music and branding remain with their respective creators and rights holders. An item being available here does not mean it is free to copy, republish or use commercially. Where material has a specific credit or licence, that information takes priority.

Please share links to our pages and credit Discover Scottish Borders and the named author or filmmaker. You may use the RSS feed to follow updates and link readers to the archive. Republishing complete articles, re-uploading films or reusing images requires permission unless an applicable licence or the law allows it.

Nothing here restricts lawful quotation, fair dealing or other statutory exceptions. For permission or a concern about ownership or credit, send us the relevant page and details. The Intellectual Property Office explains the UK copyright exceptions.

Local memories, corrections and suggestions are welcome. Please send only material you are entitled to share, identify its source where you can, and avoid sending confidential documents or unnecessary information about living people.

Contacting us does not transfer ownership of your work or automatically give us permission to publish your private message. If we would like to use contributed material, we will agree its use and credit with you. We may decline material or ask for further evidence. Personal information is handled as described in our privacy notice.

Please do not use the website to send unlawful or abusive material, impersonate someone, distribute malicious software, bypass security or disrupt other visitors’ access. Normal browsing, search indexing and reasonable use of the RSS feed are welcome.

Links to archives, social channels, visitor attractions and other websites are provided for context and convenience. We do not control their content, availability or privacy practices. Embedded films are delivered by YouTube when you choose to load a player; its service terms and our film privacy information also apply.

We may update, correct or withdraw material and occasionally interrupt access for maintenance or other reasons. We cannot promise uninterrupted access or that every external link will remain available.

Nothing in these terms removes your statutory rights or excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability for fraud or death or personal injury caused by negligence.

These website terms are governed by Scots law. This does not take away any mandatory consumer protections or right to bring a claim in the courts available to you under applicable law.

We may revise these terms as the website develops; the date above identifies the latest revision. For a question about these terms, a correction, a copyright concern or an accessibility issue, please get in touch and include the relevant page link.