Border Reivers Social Isolation

A man searches for an old Border Reiver tower deep in the forests of the Tweed valley in the Scottish Borders.

[@lonasworld]

Bell clan descendant here….thank you for the pride and inspiration that welled up in me as I listened to you!

[@jamesarmstrong5424]

I love it...coconut oil on the bum! Exhibit A of why most modern people wouldn't stand a chance of surviving in the past! I'm a proud Armstrong and can't get enough of the border history you provide Mark.

[@davidwilson123able]

Mark is one of the best United Kingdom historian today. Great work.

[@nicolereid3725]

This video provides a boost to the immune system. Fascinating historical context and social ethnological study. The women in the Reiver period would often be left for long periods in isolated situations when the men would be away reiving or fighting. The uncertainty of those times and the ingenuity required for survival are a real cause for study. But hang on..where the hell can I get some coconut infused toilet paper or actually any toilet paper at all!!!! Brilliant vid Mark

[@pattyelliottseitz7826]

😎 love Scottish Border history and listening about my Border heritage thank you for sharing.

[@rockypitts8184]

Thank you for helping us keep the isolation in perspective.

[@Fell_Wanderer]

Your knowledge of the history of Scotland and the borderlands is outstanding. Thank you for your work and teachings, you have inspired me to find out my family history, ATB, Damian Robson.

[@derekwilson7415]

I will be re-watching all your films over the next few weeks Mark to lift my spirits. 👍👍

[@williamjhunter5714]

And inheriting those traits as I have from a Borders family, the ability to endure social isolation and poverty are particularly valuable today.

[@TheBorderRyker]

Aye. We’re a hardy lot. Stay Well. 🙏🏻

[@richardtorr4553]

Well done Mark, I love your unique style. ts great to learn about our local and regional northern culture. You are right, we are so lucky these days, in those times in the 1600s few people would live over about 45, especially the poor. It must have been hellish to live in constant fear of attack.

[@Herr_Flick_of_ze_Gestapo]

the silly myth that few people lived over 45 has already been debunked dozens and dozens of times by historians with back up of hard evidence.

[@katiemoyer8679]

Glad to see you every time Mark. 🕊

[@daveelliott5855]

Just found this one cannit believe I've missed it. Another wonderful video of this fascinating area such a shame that those buildings are left in such a poor state. Thank you Mark

[@Karen-vd5eh]

Good stuff Mark...much needed humour and perspective

[@peterkelly1665]

You know when i watch these clips i really get jealous that you can go for a walk and see/ find these ruins. Here in Australia our bush is wild and exciting to walk in but I would like to see the occasional fort /tower etc. But very good clip Mark.

[@charmeyn2]

OMG, I love this video...especially the epilouge LOL; I descend from both Elliott's and Armstrongs and I am proud of my history and this video solidifies my feelings that WE are survivors

[@junestewart5098]

Legend Mark, absolutely legend !!

[@cleocat54]

Yes, we Rievers will be fine. Thanks for the reminder Mark.

[@marymcandrew7667]

Mark this as an excellent presentation, thanks for the fresh perspectives! We walked up a lonely dean yesterday in Ingram Valley, Cheviots. A pretty normal thing for us to do, but it was still difficult to get away from the worry. It was really beautiful though and not lost on us.

[@tomjones7593]

Brilliant,as usual-best series 'Not on TV'

[@nigelfoggin4617]

Hi mark,just your mad fan here....another great video,and I commend your attitude,quite inspirational in these troubled times.....still working on my theorys....about the tuatha de danaan,or lost tribe of Dan from Israel who I believe they were....the tribe of Dan were seafarers....best boats back then we're oak.....Dunedin,the old name for Edinburgh,if you change the I to an E,translates in Hebrew to thin oak....like the columnar oak...probably the best type for shipbuilding....tried to translate dun edin from gaelic,you get nothing....anyway,another great vid mate,stay safe

[@jaylivingstone6340]

Still going strong in generations today my grandfather was an Elliott I'm more than comfortable parked @ with my boys my cat my dog happy as .

[@redpilledpict2747]

Coconut infused toilet paper indeed.As kids camping in the mountains we had to use Sphagnum Moss when we run out ! The Black Death must have had a serious effect back in the 14th Century and you would have thought the post of Berwick might have spread this into the Borders.Thanks Mark you always have great and interesting content.Probably you would get a larger reach via Twitter(KZbin Clips) as most of the people i know refuse to use Facebook.Thanks again

[@MrBigbadbob09]

lets see something on the gentle johnstons please mark.loving your work by the way

[@clanyoung14]

I enjoy your videos Mark! They must be a lot of work, but you are appreciated. How about a video about George Young of Otterburn and his band of Youngs from the Bowmont, who pricked the advancing English army south of Wark, about 1545.

[@backhandgrip23]

...been thinking about you lately and the fact this Covid is delaying a trip to your area. Resilient by nature, yes indeed. Thank you for these excellent videos.

[@trickydicky8237]

Been there for many a Car Rally and yet again, never knew it was there. Thanks Mark

[@fambuild]

Nicely said!

[@mrcherrrysoda1324]

by the way near the tower there is a old fort

[@MarkNicol123]

8 Bit games seen it yes. Planning another film soon. Also there is “Wallace’s Hill” up there. William Wallace has strong connections to that area.

[@re1v3r]

Clan Moffat border reiver checking in

[@DMCDObidon]

Loved your epilogue Mark 😃 Stay safe.

[@fambuild]

Good stuff Mark!

[@NSAJ33]

Nice vid bro. Clan Ainslie here. I got to figure out a way to live on the boarders. It's calling me bro. Shout out from TX.

[@boomtish4520]

Interesting forest. There's a fort up there, and Eric Schaedler the hibs player took his own life there in the 1980's

[@murdomacinnes6176]

Guid yin Mark --- keep them coming and stay safe mate

[@ninjamoves3642]

thanks for uploading man..I'd be down there to the tower with my XP ORX!

[@scobadoba12]

Love it

[@teslar1]

I like your leadership analogy I won’t be able to watch Boris or Trump without that coming to mind 😂

[@annamariebeaty4206]

Thank you! I'm Beaty/ Porteous Border families. Would you consider documenting them? I believe my Porteous' land is pretty much under water in Peebleshire .. :(

[@annamariebeaty4206]

Hawkshaw, Peebleshire

[@cherbinsted2378]

My ancestors, the Littles, were reivers.

[@zuzak4341]

I am trying to imagine what it would have looked like 400 yrs ago. Would any of my Armstrong ancestors have hid there or would they have attacked it.

[@MarkNicol123]

Attacked it probably😁💪

[@scott236]

Great video!! Random question. Did any of the border families go north east to Aberdeen after anytime after the 1600s?

[@coniwatson9512]

That was good.

[@cheryllthompson5092]

It looks like it got blasted!

[@WillowEtain]

Have you done any videos covering any history related to the Bell Clan?

[@ddouglas3860]

They would have to put you in chains to keep you at home Mark I hope they don't we need you out there 👌😊

[@neilbell5296]

Clan Bell by birth here

[@gailgray2438]

Clan Caruthers

[@trickydicky8237]

I quite enjoy your waffle ....... LOL

[@backhandgrip23]

It just so speaks of the fortitude of the Scottish people and the inability of the U.K. to recognize the value of the Scots and preserve their legacy. Completely not understandable by those of Scot heritage who live around the world. Remember, the Scots populated the British Empire. We are here. Do not understand. This is 2020. Why doesn't the UK recognize these sites and preserve them? This is a resource to them. Do not understand the neglect...

[@marypetrie930]

The Reivers owed loyalty not to Scottish or English but were tribal and owed loyalty to their family. They were used by both kingdoms as mercenary soldiers.

[@tomjones7593]

Cardronavirus?

[@coniwatson9512]

Don't be artistic share your knowledge .