Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders uncovers the forgotten stories behind the region’s most fascinating castles, tower houses, and historic ruins. Journey through the Scottish Borders as each episode explores a single site, revealing its dramatic past, the families who lived there, and the conflicts that shaped it. From the lawless days of the Border Reivers to bloody raids, civil wars, and tales steeped in folklore, this podcast brings history vividly to life. All hosted by David. Season one is complete, but Season Two returns on Thursday 6 August 2026.
Hidden Histories Of The Scottish Borders
Claim This Podcastby Thistle and Time
28 episodes
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Podcast Overview
Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders uncovers the forgotten stories behind the region’s most fascinating castles, tower houses, and historic ruins. Journey through the Scottish Borders as each episode explores a single site, revealing its dramatic past, the families who lived there, and the conflicts that shaped it. From the lawless days of the Border Reivers to bloody raids, civil wars, and tales steeped in folklore, this podcast brings history vividly to life. All hosted by David. Season one is complete, but Season Two returns on Thursday 6 August 2026.
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Publishing Since
11/13/2025
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Recent Episodes
May 21, 2026
Timpendean Tower, The Fortress That Refused To Die
<p>Explore the dramatic history of Timpendean Tower in this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders. Set near Jedburgh along the River Teviot, this 16th-century Border tower reveals a story of resilience, warfare, and survival.</p><p>Discover how the powerful Douglas family shaped life in the Borders, their connection to the notorious Border Reivers, and how the tower was nearly destroyed during the Rough Wooing under Henry VIII. Burned in 1545 and later rebuilt, Timpendean stands today as a powerful reminder of Scotland’s turbulent past.</p><p>Perfect for listeners interested in Scottish history, castle ruins, Border Reivers, and hidden historic sites, this episode brings to life one of the Borders’ most overlooked landmarks.</p><p>For photographs and more information, please see https://thistleandtime.scot</p><p><br></p><p><u>Music credits</u></p><p>Aurora by Scott Buckley | In Search Of Solitude by Scott Buckley</p><p>https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley</p><p>Royalty Free Music by https://www.free-stock-music.com</p><p>Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)</p><p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Podcast theme from Pixabay.com</p>
May 14, 2026
Neidpath Castle, 800 Years Of History
<p>Rising from a rocky crag above the River Tweed, Neidpath Castle has witnessed nearly eight hundred years of Scottish history.</p><p>We begin with the Frasers, and follow the extraordinary story of Sir Simon Fraser: a man who fought for the English, changed sides to join William Wallace, and then defeated an English army three times in a single day.</p><p>We then trace three centuries of Hay family ownership: the building of the L-plan tower house that still stands today, royal visits from Mary Queen of Scots and James VI, and the violent world of the Border Reivers.</p><p>We explore Cromwell's disputed siege of 1650, the castle's remarkable resilience, and its later life in the hands of the Douglas and Wemyss families. And we end with two of Scotland's greatest literary figures: William Wordsworth, and Sir Walter Scott.</p><p>Today, Neidpath Castle remains privately owned by the Wemyss family. A place where the past is very much still present (<a href="https://www.neidpathcastle.com"><u>https://www.neidpathcastle.com</u></a>).</p><p>This is the penultimate episode in series 1 of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders. After next week’s episode, the series will return in August.</p><p><br></p><p><u>Music</u></p><p>All music and sound effects from Pixabay.com</p>
May 7, 2026
Traquair House, Nine Centuries Of Hidden History
<p>Discover the hidden history of Traquair House, near Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders, one of Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited houses, with nearly 900 years of extraordinary stories within its ancient walls. </p><p>In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore how a royal hunting lodge became a fortified tower house, then a lairdly residence, a Jacobite refuge, and a clandestine centre of Catholic worship, hosting 27 monarchs along the way, including Mary Queen of Scots, who visited in 1566 with her infant son, the future James VI.</p><p>From the Wars of Independence and the Border Reivers to the doomed Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745, Traquair House sat at the heart of Scotland's most turbulent centuries. We uncover the secret Priest's Room, the remarkable Winifred Maxwell, and the legend of the Bear Gates — locked shut since Bonnie Prince Charlie's visit and never reopened. Whether you're a Scottish history enthusiast, a Borders explorer, or simply love untold stories from Scotland's past, this episode of our Scottish history podcast is essential listening.</p><p>For more information, please see <a href="https://thistleandtime.scot"><u>https://thistleandtime.scot</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><u>Music credits:</u></p><p>Eight Mountains by Savfk </p><p>https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic</p><p><br></p><p>Village Ambiance by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) </p><p>https://creatorchords.com</p><p><br></p><p>Phase Shift by Scott Buckley </p><p>At The End Of All Things by Scott Buckley </p><p>https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley</p><p><br></p><p>All above music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com</p><p>Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)</p><p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a></p>
28 total episodes available
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- What is Hidden Histories Of The Scottish Borders?
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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