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 Two is now live, with new episodes every Thursday.
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/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Podcast theme from Pixabay.com
1 Oct 2026
Ferniehirst Castle, Stronghold Of The Kerrs
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 (https://pixabay.com)
The Ocean by Savfk https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic (https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic)
The Impossible by Savfk https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic (https://www.youtube.com/savfkmusic)
Adrift Among Infinite Stars by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley (https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley)
Undertow by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley (https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley)
I Walk With Ghosts by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley (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://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
24 Sept 2026
Hawick's Black Tower Of Drumlanrig
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://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2023/04/03/audio_a0b8b69e90.mp3?filename=notaigenerated-paradise-144947.mp3 (https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2023/04/03/audio_a0b8b69e90.mp3?filename=notaigenerated-paradise-144947.mp3)
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Spotify
4.7 / 5
3 ratings
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