In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore Castlehill Tower, which sits about 5 kilometres south west of Peebles.

Overlooking Manor Water, this ruined fifteenth-century tower house reveals a story of Border Reivers, beacon warnings and Covenanter connections. Discover the families who owned it, its formidable defences, and the unanswered questions surrounding its eventual abandonment.

Music credits: All music from https://pixabay.com

Hidden among the fields near Chirnside in the Scottish Borders, the ruins of Billie Castle conceal a fascinating history of medieval power struggles, English invasions and powerful Scottish families. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore the castle's connections to the Dunbars, the Douglas Earls of Angus and the Rentons of Billie, including its role as a refuge for Archibald Douglas during his conflict with King James V in 1528.

Discover how Billie Castle suffered during the devastating Rough Wooing of the 1540s, why King James VI visited in 1596, and how the Renton family's marriage alliances connected this little-known Berwickshire stronghold to Alexander Leslie, Earl of Leven, a leading commander of the Scottish Covenanters. From medieval Border warfare to the religious upheavals of seventeenth-century Scotland, uncover the remarkable stories behind one of the Scottish Borders' forgotten castles.

Music credits

Omega | The Rise | Ascension | Falling Together | Bring Me The Sky

All tracks by Scott Buckley

https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Podcast theme from Pixabay.com

In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore the dramatic story of Ferniehirst Castle, one of the best-preserved Border fortresses in Scotland. Standing above the River Jed near Jedburgh, this remarkable stronghold was home to the powerful Kerr family for more than five centuries and witnessed raids, sieges, family feuds, royal intrigue and some of the fiercest fighting of the Anglo-Scottish Border wars.

Discover the legend of Dand Kerr, the famous left-handed staircase, the brutal violence of the Rough Wooing, the Battle of Ancrum Moor, and the castle's role in the struggles surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots. From Border Reivers to royal courtiers, the story of Ferniehirst reveals how one family survived the turbulent history of the Scottish Borders and left behind a castle whose stones still echo with the conflicts of the past.

Music credits

Peace by Jeremusic70 https://pixabay.com

The Ocean by Savfk https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic

The Impossible by Savfk https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic

Adrift Among Infinite Stars by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Undertow by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

I Walk With Ghosts by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Discover the fascinating history of Drumlanrig’s Tower in Hawick, one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Scottish Borders. From its medieval origins and connection with the Douglases of Drumlanrig, through the turbulent years of Border raids, the Rough Wooing, the Marian Civil War and a Covenanter uprising, this episode explores the stories behind Hawick’s historic Black Tower.

We also look at the legendary Battle of Hornshole, the tower’s transformation from fortified residence to coaching house and Tower Hotel, and its modern role as the Hawick Textiles Museum.

Join David for another episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders and discover how one remarkable tower has survived more than five centuries of conflict, change and transformation.

Music credits

Aurora by Scott Buckley

In Search Of Solitude by Scott Buckley

Permafrost by Scott Buckley

https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2023/04/03/audio_a0b8b69e90.mp3?filename=notaigenerated-paradise-144947.mp3

High above the Merse near Kelso stands Hume Castle, one of the Scottish Borders' most recognisable landmarks. But the picturesque ruins conceal a turbulent history of medieval warfare, Border Reivers, royal intrigue and Anglo-Scottish conflict.

In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore the history of Hume Castle and the powerful Hume family who made it their stronghold. From the Wars of Independence and the Battle of Flodden to the Rough Wooing, Mary, Queen of Scots, the Marian Civil War and Cromwell's invasion of Scotland, Hume repeatedly found itself at the centre of conflict.

We also discover the remarkable story of Lady Home's defence of the castle, the legend of James IV's body, and how a once-formidable fortress was eventually transformed into the picturesque folly we see today.

For more information about Hume Castle and other historic places in the Scottish Borders, visit https://thistleandtime.scot

Music Credits

Last And First Light by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

The Great Battle by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.com

Horizons by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Snowfall by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Underow by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Eight Mountains by Savfk | https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic

All sourced from Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Discover the turbulent history hidden behind the peaceful village of Darnick in the Scottish Borders. This episode explores Darnick Tower, Fisher’s Tower and the dramatic Battle of Melrose (Battle of Darnick/Battle of Skirmish Hill) in 1526, when Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch attempted to rescue the young James V, King of Scots, from the control of the Earl of Angus.

We also uncover the story of the Heiton and Fisher families, the destruction of Darnick during the Rough Wooing, the Border Reiver feud that followed the battle, and Darnick’s later connection with Sir Walter Scott.

This podcast episode is a fascinating journey into the castles, tower houses, Border Reivers and battles of the Scottish Borders. For more information about Darnick and other historic sites, visit https//thistleandtime.scot

Music credits

Absolution | Ascension | Discovery | Chasing Daylight | Ride the Wind

All above tracks by Scott Buckley

https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Podcast theme from Pixabay.com

Discover the forgotten history of Old Thirlestane Tower, near Lauder in the Scottish Borders. Once the home of the powerful Maitland family, this medieval Border stronghold stood on an important route between the Scottish Borders and Edinburgh.

Explore its connections to the Border Reivers, the Rough Wooing, Mary, Queen of Scots, the Marian Civil War and the rise of the Maitlands to national political power. Find out how the ruined tower was eventually superseded by the magnificent Thirlestane Castle at Lauder.

Music credits

Vopna and Prepare For War both by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords)

https://creatorchords.com

Eight Mountains by Savfk

https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic

Above music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Podcast theme music from pixabay.com

Journey into the peaceful ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, one of the most beautiful medieval monasteries in the Scottish Borders. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, discover the remarkable story of the Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1150, its repeated destruction during the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Rough Wooing, its connections to Robert the Bruce, Sir Walter Scott and the legends that still haunt its ancient stones.

From Norman nobles and medieval monks to English invasions, royal patronage and ghostly folklore, this episode uncovers nearly 900 years of history beside the River Tweed. Whether you're planning a visit to Dryburgh Abbey, exploring the Borders Abbey Way, or simply fascinated by Scottish history, this is the story behind one of Scotland's most atmospheric historic sites.

Music Credits

Eight Mountains by Savfk https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic

In Search Of Solitude by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

Jul by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

All promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Podcast theme from Pixabay.com