A tale of two (Scottish Borders) Cities

Today the Scottish Borders is largely rural with a few large towns.
But in days gone by the Borders was home to 2 of the biggest most important CITIES in Scotland...if not the British Isles. What were these 2 cities and what happened to them?...........

[@ianpetty419]

Loving your work! I was a wee lad when I last lived in Galasheils and Hawick(happy days!) My family left in 1971 and I have only been back once since.Seeing all the places that I used to go to has brought back many memories for me,and has inspired me to go back there soon.Your history has brought it alive! Keep up the good work,Cheers!

[@MarkNicol123]

Ian Petty cheers Ian!! Where you living these days? Thanks for watching!!

[@celticbastardson2599]

I really enjoy your work. It's so refreshing to hear about a large part of Scotland that is too often overlooked, in favor of the overly-romanticized Highlanders. Thanks for the work you do.

[@HoHAGGIS]

*Don't get Angry, get Free* ...

[@craigthescott5074]

Scott clan checking in from the boarders. “AMO” “The Scotts are out”

[@sheldongryba4803]

AMO. SCOTT FROM CANADA. "THE SCOTTS ARE OUT"

[@craigthescott5074]

@@sheldongryba4803 I’m actually in the US Scottsdale Arizona. But I have visited Scotland.

[@craigthescott5074]

@@sheldongryba4803 There’s a very interesting book that details the history of the border clans. It’s called Steal Bonnets and our Scott ancestors are mentioned. We fought the English and some other clans specifically the Kerr clan and some others.

[@tenbroeck1958]

Great footage of an often overlooked part of Scotland.

[@ddouglas3860]

A great recording 👍 thanks.

[@shamrock2884]

Please do more Scottish history of are beautiful Borders I fine your video's really interesting.

[@MarkNicol123]

+Michael Jones thanks Michael....I have more on the way.

[@christianmccann7884]

Hello from Ireland really great videos, Irish and Scottish history so similar in many many ways .. Just subscribed to your Chanel !

[@michaelwandererofthewilds9091]

As an English immigrant (with mixed Scots, Welsh and anglo heritage) to Scotland who is fascinated with the wars of independence i find your channel extremely informative. I only found your channel today and ive got to say im going to binge on your stuff. Thank you for the quality content.

[@ianpetty419]

I lived most of my life abroad,but came Back to Scotland about ten years ago,spent a couple of years in Shetalnd,now live in Fort Augustus on Loch Ness.Due for a visit to the borders soon though,I can't wait!

[@MarkNicol123]

Ian Petty nice up there too I would think.

[@sunshinesilverarrow5292]

Thank you, so interesting! Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N

[@elizabethbower2168]

This is an absolutely fabulous video thank you for sharing it with us look forward to seeing some more from you I have subscribed to your channel X

[@grootjnr]

Great video, and good to see Roxburgh castle 👍

[@MarkNicol123]

cheers Walter!!

[@peterkelly1665]

Love your narrative well done you are a realstory teller.

[@MarkNicol123]

Peter Kelly thanks Peter!!

[@fambuild]

This is so outstanding, I am going to re-post this to FB. Really would like to hear more about the Reivers when you have a chance. Perhaps Dumfries... I know that the Bell Peel Tower still exists. Area was sacked by Cromwell's army. Keep these coming lad!

[@MarkNicol123]

got things planned for this year David but so far my filming keeps getting postponed because of snow / wind! cheers for the comments!

[@elizabethbower2168]

I recall a TV series called border warfare back in the 1980s it really opened my eyes to the animosity between the Scots and the English

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

Thanks Mark for a most interesting and enlightening video. I can now say I have a good idea of the importance of these two forgotten Cities of the Borders. It`s great to know that the Borders has a passionate champion such as yourself to keep its history alive. Thank you.

[@duneideann9241]

Superb mate ,loved it , subbed 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@rockypitts8184]

Thank you for sharing such a great tribute to these once great cities.

[@TheBorderRyker]

Superb 👌🏻 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@no1scoot]

I like your mini documentaries. Very informative and lots to see.

[@MarkNicol123]

+Robert Fogarty cheers Robert!!!

[@AndreaDingbatt]

Carlisle?! *Reivers?! ~It'd be nice to see an upload about this and how it played it part in the history of the UK... Apart from the Roman Wall, which to be honest has been a touch "Overdone"!! The Roxburgh remnants are a Fantastic place to visit!! It's hard to imagine people overlooking this beautiful place!! XxX. *edit - I see that you have done an upload about this!!

[@marciaspiegel5280]

No one mentioned this site to us when we visited. I'd love to have been there.

[@stubock.b]

Wow, my family came from Roxburgh, some were Lords it’s amazing to see in the past! Can’t wait to visit! Great video!

[@backhandgrip23]

...and all the stone from the castle was used to build that railway trussle in the 19th century.

[@MarkNicol123]

backhandgrip2 a lot of the important historical structures in the Borders were destroyed for Victorian architecture / civil engineering projects. As well as. Berwick there was Mangerton Tower in Liddesdale home of the Armstrong clan chiefs which was broken up to build a railway track bed in the 1800s Sickening vandalism

[@gellicbecca5191]

this is great I'm doing my family tree from my distant grandfather William de Rule (Bedrule)I hope to travel there one day

[@MarkNicol123]

rebecca heath cheers Rebecca!! This one below is filmed in the vicinity of Bedrule... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpWwaKV9gLlrkKc

[@mickogavin5417]

Great video and narration

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

Excellent....🤗🙂☺️😎🤗🙂☺️😎

[@benturnbull4009]

absolutely brilliant really enjoyed it

[@MarkNicol123]

Ben Turnbull cheers Ben

[@ebbanjenkins5960]

Awesome thanks im sharing these thank you!

[@MarkNicol123]

+ebban jenkins thanks again Ebban!!

[@ddouglas3860]

Dead on .Mark I love the history ✋👍👍👌👌

[@Elkott]

I live in Kelso so found this to be extremely interesting.

[@MarkNicol123]

Larry cheers! It’s hard to believe when you look at that field now

[@michaelscott4737]

I enjoy your films but am a bit saddened that you paint the Clan Scott with such a dark brush. As you are well aware, the Borders were always the first to feel the tips of English spears and the blades of English swords. They didn't spare my clan ancestors. Our blood watered the Middle Marshes and other battles sites throughout Scottish history. If we Scots ever had a character flaw it was that we never saw each other as Scots first. Clan loyalties and personal interests prevailed. That is why at our height, the Scott Clan and our septs could field a force of 3,000 + fighting light cavalry warriors. Even then, plenty of our blood was spilt time and again. Please remember that the Scotts weren't the only 'active' clan on the borders. All the best to you, and thank you for keeping border history alive!

[@MarkNicol123]

Michael Scott thanks for the comment Michael. I think because the Dukes of Buccleuch became so rich and powerful, sometimes with questionable means the Scott family does unfortunately get associated with that. As you know however that is not the case. There are a few films I’ve done which paint the Scotts as the heroes and warriors they were I’ll copy some links for you. Thanks again for watching and commenting.!!

[@MarkNicol123]

Michael kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHTFeXR5obF-jKs

[@MarkNicol123]

Michael Scott kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKOsnIysa7OIm68

[@backhandgrip23]

Also, to keep in mind, the name Scott was, and still is, a very very common name in Scotland. Many many peole were named Scott who had no association with any clan, particularly in the lowland. Just sayin...

[@daveelliott5855]

Fantastic video very informative being an Elliott from Tynedale always had a big interest in border history and still think that Berwick should be Scottish, it just looks to be part of Scotland on a map

[@MarkNicol123]

Dave Elliott thanks Dave. Might start a campaign to make Berwick Scottish again😂😂

[@snatcher7266]

Interesting video mate, but slightly biased. Not a mention of Berwick and Roxburgh both been of Anglo Saxon origin. The Angle kingdom of Northumbria, stretched as far Edinburgh. So at some point, it was the Scots who’d gone and slaughtered the English to take the towns for themselves! There’s two sides to every coin!

[@berwickshiremike51]

Great video Mark, I'm surprised you never mentioned the death of the Scottish King James the second at Roxburgh in 1460 or showed the marker where it happened.

[@MarkNicol123]

Mike Embleton cheers Mike!! Trying to keep these films under 20 minutes limits what I can all get in. Might do another film on Roxburgh some day. Thanks again.

[@yungbando7513]

Could I have some of your sources? Really informative video

[@DrumToTheBassWoop]

Dam imagine Roxburgh being the Capital, in a parallel world, major city in the southern uplands.

[@patrickhogue8790]

Great video, Mark. I'm an American with Borders roots... Hogue (Hogg/Hog), Hume, and Kerr. I had the chance to visit in October and saw Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh, and Bemersyde and loved it. Can't wait to get back. Do you have any knowledge of any large Hogg families in the Borders? I don't think they were a powerful clan or even a centralized family, they seemed to be spread all over the Borders and Lothians. Related to this video I did read of a Thomas Hog who led an assault of Berwick Castle in 1379.

[@MarkNicol123]

Patrick Hogue actually my wife’s maiden name is Hogg. Don’t know much about the family history. Suppose the most famous Borderer named Hogg would be James Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd who was a famous poet and friend of Sir Walter Scott.

[@patrickhogue8790]

Tell her that her (possible) distant American cousin says hello :) I've heard of James Hogg and yes he seems to be the most famous and notable Hogg. I'm one of a large group of mostly American Hogg family history researchers who are looking to find our roots. Here is the website if you are interested in taking a look. hdhdata.org/hoggdna.html

[@MarkNicol123]

Thanks I’ll have a look at that. Kerr and Hume family history in the Borders is a different story altogether as these are 2 of the biggest riding clans from the region. Branches of both families have gone on to become the Dukes of Roxburgh and earls of Home.

[@MarkNicol123]

This might interest you too.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGbdeJetibqKaNU

[@292huffy]

Ron Kerr here

[@grantmclachlan1]

There is another story to the death of the Scottish King, James the 4th. During the battle of Flodden there were 3 others dressed exactly the same as the king . This was to confuse the English and prevent the King being targeted. It is said that king James survived the battle but on the retreat, which the English army did not harrie due to exhaustion, was struck a blow by a member of the border clan Home, after James accused them of cowardice, due to their refusal to fight on foot instead of the horsemen they were. This blow allegedly left king James in a vegative state. It was more honourable to have people believe James died in battle than was left physically and mentally disabled by his own side . The English believed king James had died on the field of Flodden and intended to give king James a fitting resting place but they never did. It is assumed that when the dust had settled not even the English believed they had the real King James . King James the 4th was known to have , as part of his daily dress , a gold chain that he wore around his waist, no gold chain was found on the died lookalike kings at Flodden. It is alleged Oliver Cromwell over a 100 years later had a body exhumed from Dumfermline abbey, the skeletal remains was said to wear a gold chain around the waist. It is alleged that King James lived for around 6 years after the battle before succumbing to the life changing blow he suffered from his own side.

[@aikidragonpiper71]

Do you have any videos of other border cities like Langholm or other places like Liddesdale?

[@MarkNicol123]

aikidragonpiper71 yes I have a lot of videos down in Liddesdale, check out my channel. Here’s one for you to have a look at... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGbdeJetibqKaNU Thanks for watching.

[@sgr1888]

Hello. I'm a Riddle/Riddell and know my families clan were in the Boarders. Any video on them would be appreciated

[@michaelchen8643]

Very well what were the goods and services exported from Roxbury castle to Burwick that was so valuable in your narration I cannot follow what you’re saying nor do I follow where these two locations are I had to look it up on the map and make my own inferences which I was able to do so there’s a lot of drama in your voice and your gestures but I have no idea of the time circumstance and motivation to make this place is valuable

[@rachaelcoyle2838]

Hi there Mark, im doing a project on Berwick upon Tweed as part of my St Andrews undergrad. I couldn't find any sign of a memorial or a plaque for Berwick 1296...did you see one or do you know of anything of that nature? Thank you, your videos were great for background knowledge for my understanding of Berwick.

[@MarkNicol123]

Rachael Coyle as far as Im aware there are no memorials to the sacking of Berwick in 1296. There is the plaque in the railway station which I talk about right at the very end of the film, but this is about the only reference to that period I could find. Wartime propaganda was obviously rife in 1296 as much as it is today, as you will find various different reports on the severity of the 1296 attack. Thanks for watching

[@ripperduck]

it seems as if my mother's descendants were from roxburgshire. the landells, which, from what i understand, were part of the lauderdale/home clans. if anyone knows more of these families, please put a comment on the thread. thanks....

[@NSAJ33]

ripperduck Same here! My family used to own that castle! I want it back! Ha!

[@lochlainnmacneill2870]

Brilliant Mark.....get on TV

[@jasonalan9327]

EXACTLY...My mom was a Douglas and my father a Scroggs which is Gaelic for a Small Tree and I just get Annoyed by People who say there Scottish and there NOT because my Ancestry can be Traced Way Way BACK...Anyway...Love ALL Your Videos!

[@MarkNicol123]

Jason Alan cheers man!! Thanks for watching!!

[@juvehearts]

you do realize that Berwick was completely neutral and was never Scottish or English. It had its own parliament and government and technically is still at war with russia. Berwick was NEVER Scotland's in its entire history.

[@MarkNicol123]

Ian Henderson it was declared as a separate entity in 1502, in the Treaty of Perpetual Peace between James IV and Henry VII, before then it was well and truly Scottish. So really what you are saying is it’s NEVER been English?

[@juvehearts]

Mark Nicol it was never Scottish to begin with. It has always been an independent port. Think of it like panama, the town is split into two. the river tweed has always been the Scottish English border. Berwick (most of it) lies on the English side of it. The town itself right down to Ford Castle. has been bought, sold and traded after the wars of independence. It was only in the 70's it got brought into the union as part of Northumberland. Even then the council has moved from the town hall now. Still to this day people born there are Berwick 1st then nationality 2nd. What benefit would it bring scotlands economy with being in Scottish hands? The entire East Coast of Scotland from Haddington to Eyemouth, burnmouth to Greenlaw had been abandoned. There is nothing here, not even a tourist attraction. The local railway line closed in 1967. It was to re open in 2011. We're still waiting. ( see RAGES)

[@MarkNicol123]

Ian Henderson know what you are saying about the East Coast of Scotland being empty, Berwickshire is basically a huge farm. Maybe the largest part of Berwick these days lies on the South of the Tweed but the ancient and important places (like the ruins of the old Scottish Berwick castle) are on the North of the river. Are the areas on the South of the river like Spittal and Tweedmouth not a lot more modern than Berwick itself?

[@lomaxx27]

hi ian, i would like to know where i can find more information about scotland and england being belonging to another "person" in russia , where do i look?

[@jeffcampbell1555]

@@juvehearts The economic synergy between Roxburgh and Berwick was broken. The Scottish Kings begrudged the English taking tax revenue on Scottish wool, so mandated shipping from Scottish ports. This made wool less profitable in the Borders. Eventually, the wool trade abandoned Roxburgh, destroying it's economic base. Everybody else followed soon enough. I agree with Mark Nicol that it's nonetheless remarkable no vestigial hamlet or structure remains. I suspect the Dukes of Roxburgh not only reused the stone, they may have "improved" the view from Floors with some English Landscape gardening, recontouring the land within the loop of the river.

[@johnkelly3886]

Roxburgh castle was destroyed in 1460 by Mary of Guelders the Dutch queen of James 2. No mention of the even more savage murder of the Flemish and other foreign merchants in Berwick. Berwick was ceded in the treaty of Northampton-Edinburgh 1320 and had nothing to do with Flodden 1513. The sacking of Berwick and Roxburgh was economically motivated. Less kings, castles and battles and more economics please. The grass, the hills and the sheep were not destroyed. What killed the Scottish wool industry? Did the loss of Berwick mean the loss of access to the the Netherlandic export markets. Why did no other Scottish port substitute for Berwick. Did an interruption of trade caused by the prolonged war of independence (which we won) cause the loss of European markets to England. Don't make the Scots sound like passive victims. Which we never were. I suppose you are a great fan of Mary Queen of Scots and Bonny Prince Charlie. Poor wee Scotland, too feeble and useless to be an independent country. Whinging victimhood is not an inspiring characteristic.

[@MarkNicol123]

John Kelly thanks for watching John!!

[@jeffcampbell1555]

@@MarkNicol123 Classy. Plus, I could still hear the mike drop.

[@philipduthie6444]

I enjoy this guys vids but y does he always sounds out of breath