What lies beneath the rose-coloured stones of Melrose Abbey? Founded in 1136 by King David I and the Cistercian monks, this magnificent Scottish Borders ruin has witnessed nine centuries of war, faith, folklore — and the extraordinary story of Robert the Bruce's heart, buried here after a crusade to the Holy Land.

In this episode, we explore the full hidden history of one of Scotland's most iconic medieval ruins: the Wars of Scottish Independence, the brutal English raids, an abbey destroyed and rebuilt again and again, and the remarkable Gothic architecture that rose from those ashes. We also uncover the darker legends — including the tale of the Hunderprest, one of Britain's earliest documented vampire myths — and ask why a bagpipe-playing pig is carved into the abbey walls.

Whether you're planning a visit to the Scottish Borders, fascinated by Scottish history, or simply love a good ghost story, this episode has something for you.

For photographs and more information, please see the website https://thistleandtime.scot

Music credits

Emotional Piano Improvisation by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.com

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

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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Sky by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/

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

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Echoes of Rain by Ethereal 88 | https://ethereal88.bandcamp.com

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

I walk with Ghosts 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)

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Explore the dark and dramatic history of Newark Tower, also known as Newark Castle, in the Scottish Borders, a ruined stronghold overlooking the Yarrow Water near Selkirk. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, discover how this 15th-century tower-house survived sieges during the Rough Wooing, only to be burned and later rebuilt—before becoming the site of a notorious massacre following the Battle of Philiphaugh in 1645.

Uncover the stories of war, destruction, and legend surrounding Newark Tower, including its role in the turbulent Border conflicts, and the chilling tales of hauntings said to echo through its ruins. Perfect for anyone interested in Scottish history, castles, Border conflicts, and historic sites to visit in the Scottish Borders.

For photographs and more information, please see https://thistleandtime.scot

Music credits

Reverie by Scott Buckley | Beautiful Oblivion by Scott Buckley | Jul by Scott Buckley

https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley

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Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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Discover the forgotten story of Whiteside Tower, a ruined peel tower hidden in the Scottish Borders near Mellerstain House. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we learn how this small fortified tower once provided protection in a lawless landscape defined by Border Reivers’ activity.

We also uncover the later history of the site under Robert Baillie of Jerviswood, a Covenanter martyr executed in 1684 during Scotland’s religious conflicts. From its earliest days, this episode reveals how one little-known ruin connects to some of the most dramatic events in Scottish history.

For photographs and more information, see https://thistleandtime.scot

Music credits:

Sky by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/

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

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/

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

Creative Commons / Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Village Ambience by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.com

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

Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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Explore the dramatic story of Drochil Castle, one of the most intriguing and unfinished castles in the Scottish Borders. Built in 1578 by James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, Regent of Scotland, this ambitious fortress-palace was intended to be his luxurious retirement residence. But Morton’s sudden fall from power and execution brought construction to an abrupt halt, leaving Drochil as a haunting reminder of political intrigue, shifting loyalties, and the turbulent final years of Mary, Queen of Scots' reign.

In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we uncover the fascinating rise and fall of Morton, explore the unique Z-plan design of Drochil Castle, and reveal how this remarkable ruin fits into the wider story of Scotland’s violent 16th-century politics. From royal conspiracies and regencies to unfinished walls that still dominate the Borders landscape near Peebles, this episode brings to life one of Scotland’s most overlooked historic castles. Perfect for listeners interested in Scottish history, ruined castles, and the hidden stories of the Borders.

For photographs and more information about this and other places covered in the podcast series, please visit the website https://thistleandtime.scot

High above the Gala Water near Galashiels, the ruined walls of Buckholm Tower are a reminder of the violent and mysterious past of the Scottish Borders. Built in 1582 by the Pringle family during the turbulent era of the Border Reivers, this fortified tower house served as both residence and refuge. In this episode of Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders, we explore the origins of Buckholm Tower, and its connection to the powerful Pringle family.

But Buckholm’s story takes a darker turn in the 17th century during the persecution of the Scottish Covenanters under Charles II. Blending history, folklore, and the dramatic religious conflicts of the Killing Times, this episode uncovers one of the Scottish Borders’ most chilling and little-known stories.

Music credits

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

Hymn To The Dawn 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/

Relaxed Walk by Vitaliy Hryshko https://pixabay.com/music/search/vitaliy_hryshko/

Roxburgh Castle is one of the most strategically important, and now most overlooked, medieval fortresses in Scotland. Perched above the meeting of the Rivers Tweed and Teviot, its commanding position gave it control of the lower Tweed valley and Teviotdale, making it a key military stronghold in the Wars of Scottish Independence and the long centuries of Anglo-Scottish border warfare.

For more than 300 years, Roxburgh Castle was fought over, besieged, captured and recaptured as the crowns of Scotland and England battled for dominance. Its repeated changes of hands reflect the relentless struggle for control of the eastern approaches to Scotland.

Although only fragmentary ruins survive today, Roxburgh Castle remains rich in hidden history. Its broken walls and earthworks still tell a story of warfare, royal ambition and the turbulent past of the Scottish Borders.

For more information and photographs, please see the website https://thistleandtime.scot

The turbulent history of the Scottish Borders is filled with warfare, feuds and survival — and no story captures it better than that of the Border Reivers. In this special extended episode, we explore the rise of the Border Reivers, the notorious riding families who dominated the Anglo-Scottish frontier for centuries. Shaped by relentless conflict between Scotland and England, they built an economy based on livestock raiding, ransom and blackmail, leaving their mark on every Peel tower, castle and ruin across the Borders.

Told from a distinctly Scottish Borders perspective, this episode uncovers the origins, power struggles and lasting legacy of these infamous reiving families, whose influence defined one of the most lawless and dramatic chapters in Scottish history.

Music credits:

Undertow | Snowfall | I Walk With Ghosts |

All the above music 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)

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For further information on places visited in this podcast series, please see https://thistleandtime.scot

It's a ruin today, but Posso Tower, close to the Manor Water, was home to the Bairds, and then the Naesmyths. Records are sparse, but they quietly negotiated the Border Reiver era and the Rough Wooing. Then, during the Marian Civil War, Sir Michael Naesyth fought at Langside for Mary, Queen of Scots.

The hidden history of Posso Tower will tell you what happened next.