What They Don't Say About Hadrian's Wall

Romans in Britain built Hadrian's Wall. It's often cited as the Scotland England border. Scottish history tour guide, Bruce Fummey visits Hadrian's Wall to ask some questions about Roman intentions, current perceptions and the nature of barriers.
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Scotland History Tours is here for people who want to learn about Scottish history and get ideas for Scottish history tours. I try to make videos which tell you tales from Scotland's past and give you information about key dates in Scottish history and historical places to visit in Scotland. Not all videos are tales from Scotland's history, some of them are about men from Scotland's past or women from Scotland's past. Basically the people who made Scotland. From April 2020 onward I've tried to give ideas for historic days out in Scotland. Essentially these are days out in Scotland for adults who are interested in historical places to visit in Scotland.
As a Scottish history tour guide people ask: Help me plan a Scottish holiday, or help me plan a Scottish vacation if your from the US. So I've tried to give a bit of history, but some places of interest in Scotland as well.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

More tales from the Scotland England border here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqbKo2l7YpJmhdE

[@robert2754]

How abot you read "the real Anthony fauci " by Robert Kennedy since you are so open minded.... & I will read whatever article you recommend

[@williamlong7188]

End of the northern end of the Roman Empire we were too savage as warriors to be part of it.

[@thomasjamison2050]

I have always thought that the primary purpose of the wall(s) was economic. It wasn't much good to put a toll gate on a Roman road as it was just too easy to walk around it, but a wall would have to be climbed and goods and wagons lifted over. As for the ditch on the south, I think that primary purpose was just as an obstacle to promote use of the gates, making it harder to sneak over from that side.

[@daithinolanskl1977]

You need to chat with Simon Webb from the channel History Debunked, you seem like genuinely like a man interested interested in his country's history like Simon. I reckon you two would make a good team

[@thefurrybastard1964]

From what I was taught the wall was built in a large part to stop Brigantes from the south fighting with Brigantes from the North.

[@Nykona-Sharrowkyn]

As a proud Englishman I don't want the wall rebuilt or destroyed, it is part of our history, oh and I love our Scottish neighbours

[@incelterrorist2826]

As a proud Englishman, I can't recall a single occasion throughout my 30 years on this earth, when anyone expressed any Anti-Scottish sentiments. If anything - the only people who harbour anti-Scottish sentiments, or are defamatory towards the Scottish - are the Scottish! My Cousin married a Scottish lass, and her family was hilarious at their wedding. Constantly complaining about how all Scottish people are drunken heathens lol

[@charliezelenowski2701]

I have been to Scotland on multiple occasions, being English I expected some comments or trouble. It was actually one of the most fun and inviting places I have ever been.

[@chrissy9008]

Its always a laugh when the Scott's arrive

[@biskitz86913]

As a proud English man who's lived in Scotland for 25 years, I feel like the only negativity between our countries flows from North to South, not the other way around. But even if England we're playing a semi final everyday of the year, all the "fuck England" banter in the land wouldn't get me to leave xD Scotland is a great place to live, even if you're the "auld enemy" like me

i grew up there with an English accent, i was fighting 4 times min a week haha

[@geosin1945]

I was born and grew up in Wallsend (where the wall ended! - not many people know that.) . We had a latin teacher who was also a Roman history buff, he taught us that the wall was Hadrian's way of saying "Here endeth civilisation" (rough translation).

[@JootjeJ]

As a foreigner who lived in Wallsend a couple of years I was told the same. I loved living that close to ancient history.

[@MrMegamike2k]

That could mean the same for those beyond the wall. Travel south and your way of life is over.

[@geowidman]

Love the line: "There are always walls, but from time-to-time, they're just arraigned differently." Deep and simple and true, friend. Thank you.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thanks for taking the time to comment George

[@drinking6314]

Arraigned? They'll need a good attorney

[@geowidman]

@@drinking6314 "Arranged" correct of course - @#$@% Spellcheck!

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

I have often thought social media itself is a wall to prevent actual learning and knowledge since it is a cesspool of propaganda. Bruce, today you kicked out a stone of that wall to encourage actual thought. I thank you, Sir!

[@EggchaserNZ]

Well said Sir!

[@Spengleman2]

That started a long time before social media bro, Hadrian and Rome were lying about the wall since before it was built! You just found out the truth, brought to you by social media. 🤔

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

@@EggchaserNZ thank you!

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

@@Spengleman2 perhaps read my post again re: social media.

[@CreatureOfTheVoid]

Id love to see at least a part of it rebuilt back to its former glory as a monument to what our ancestors could achieve with even a fraction of our current tech

[@danielrobertson2154]

Now that's actually a cool idea

[@blackcathiking7831]

There is a replica of a short section of wall built at the museum on the fort at Segedunum (Wallsend), near Newcastle. The museum is well worth a visit!

[@zackgravity7284]

It's a great tourism idea

[@DonP_is_lostagain]

Visited it in 1977. Buddy who was with me wasn't impressed. I told him it looks that way because nearly 2000 years of people had been pilfering stones for their own walls. Wise words at the end too.

[@dantohaku]

When travelling Scotland for 4 weeks, just months prior to covid, reaching Haidrians Wall was just one goal of the journey. But an impressive one at that. The now almost imaginary wall was such a beauty of nature as any other part of Scotland. Your mind's journey on the significance of walls then and now rendered one of your most beautiful videos to date.

[@russellbaston974]

The wall also had a strong element of what we’d now term a “vanity project.” It was a statement along the lines, “I Hadrian, define the boundaries of the Roman Empire.”

[@SometimesInnocent]

Why would an Emperor want people to think his power was limited?

[@russellbaston974]

@@SometimesInnocent Just the opposite, this was a demonstration that his power was limitless, he , and he alone, had the power to determine the boundary of the Empire and what was worth holding.

[@ronandodds]

Yep, he reached Wallsend and decided his empire was complete!

[@SantomPh]

@@SometimesInnocent Hadrian was tired of conquests and declared that the Roman Empire was so strong it didn't need to expand. He placed the borders to warn outsiders not to mess with the all powerful Rome. Rome didn't stop expanding of course as Marcus Aurelius would try to conquer Germania, but ultimately Hadrian decided "nah, we're already awesome". This is the same philosophy of the Egyptian dynasties and various Chinese dynasties- keep to your borders and make sure your neighbors don't mess with you via diplomacy or military strength .

[@russellbaston974]

@@ronandodds Yes, after a great Geordie welcome and a night out in the Toon, he thought it can’t get any better. One ‘quirk’ of course is that construction began at the east side, so Wallsend should really be called Wallstart.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Amazes me the number of English and Scottish people who think the Wall is the border between the 2 countries. England goes a lot further north especially on the eastern side of the country.

[@waltonsmith7210]

It seems so neat and tidy lol.

[@waltonsmith7210]

And they say Americans are ignorant. Even I knew that Hadrian's wall isnt the border between scotland and England and I live in Georgia lol.

[@NorrieMacTHESMOG]

I walked the whole length loved every minute of it

[@craigweightman799]

Thank you Bruce i've never thought of the wall as being a barrier to keep people in and not out very insightful as always. 👍

[@rookie_]

A lot of the original wall became the road that runs alongside. Not to forget the pretty little village also called "Wall".

[@faftducker3102]

As a proud Geordie the wall disects the city, most people born in the city would have been born in the general hospital about 50 yards north of the wall, I was and went to school south of the wall, even with the route of the wall going through sections of the rugby pitch. But it is never thought of like that. It runs along the west pad and there is chunk next to bus stops and roundabouts

[@saiello2061]

I was born north of the wall in Newcastle general hospital and christened south of the wall in St Mary's Cathedral. The hospital obviously doesn't exist anymore, I believe it was bulldozed for residential development.

[@jeanettebirkett776]

@@saiello2061 parts of the general hospital are still there and in use. No houses have built on the site.

[@saiello2061]

@@jeanettebirkett776 Oh really? That's news to me, I was told years ago that it had been levelled. I'll have to go check it out when I'm next up...! 👍😁

[@howardsmith7315]

I went to school at Walbottle...the village on the wall...and the vallum was part of the school grounds

[@carldavidson2012]

It's amazing how very little people know about the wall and how England's border extends well past it in places, especially the more east you go from the Solway firth. I've been fortunate to work near the wall these last eight years and have found myself sitting at Banks East Turrets having my lunch and enjoying the peace you get there.

[@tonyjames5444]

Roman's were practical if nothing else, everything they did depended on the profit i.e. only invade if the land generated more than the cost of the campaign and ongoing occupation. Likewise with the wall it was about keeping building costs down, (material & manpower), and controlling it with the smallest force possible, (they had pennypinching beurocrats then as well:). As stated here it was nothing to do with England/Scotland per se.

[@elvishadapelvis6501]

Yes, the Angles, Saxons and Scots were not even living in Britain at the time, at least in any large number, for England and Scotland to have existed. It was a patchwork of Brethonic tribes who would have spoken some form of insular Celtic language.

[@JosephGibson]

@@elvishadapelvis6501 Scottish people today as Scots, are not all descended from the Scots and Scots consisted of both Picts and Gaels.

[@sipjedekat8525]

I learned from Mike Duncan that the wall was meant not so much as a static border to keep barbarians out, but to dissect the territory of hostile tribes in the area. This way they could be monitored, intimidated, and offcourse taxed. Divide and conquer on the very edge of the empire. Great that you explain the story even more in depth. And also a profound message of contemplation at the end. Great video as always Bruce!

[@LsElite4210]

Kinda ironic the British came to be the masters of that divide and conquer technique

[@stoneagepig3768]

Not ironic at all. You sound like an American that believe the British were the only imperialists and conveniently ignore the French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Italians, Ottomans........They were all imperialists and all commited equally appalling crimes. The Spanish in central and South America did little more than straight up genocide, for all the vile acts by the British we were never quite as out and out repulsive as that. But because we eventually had the largest empire and were for a time the most powerful nation on Earth much of the world believes it was only us doing it

[@dunnywatson2186]

​@@LsElite4210Evil bunch

[@dunnywatson2186]

​@@stoneagepig3768They all are Evil!

[@stevebarlow3310]

Listening and watching this video, I was drawn back to my time stationed on the border between East and West Germany. The multilayer organization of that structure too was oriented much more to the east than the west. Thanks once again for a fascinating and informative talk.

[@roynixon961]

Brilliant and thank you Bruce. I’m English, from Gateshead, and I have lived in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. You have no idea how fed up I am with people, in both England and Scotland, saying “ rebuild the wall”. The wall is entirely in England. It never was, and certainly isn’t now, a border between our two countries.

[@joebutlersnr7017]

I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone say " rebuild the wall " and all the banter I've ever heard between the scots and English has always been in a light hearted way , I've traveled to more places in Scotland probably more than most scots have, I'm an Englishman from Wallsend.

[@joebutlersnr7017]

@@basiltozer9078 oooh I know a good few scots and Welsh not to mention the English who would give you a good argument about that statement basil.

[@markrae1317]

Well said!

[@jeanbruce3112]

Rather than building walls between Scotland and England let's have the next 318 years turned on it's head and 553 Scottish mp's dominate the 59 English mp's. God forbid that ever happened, you would have the British media running stories about how are the engish going to survive if they ever achieved independence. England is a great nation if only the people believe in themselves.

[@rahjah6958]

@@joebutlersnr7017 they would give an incorrect argument because Britain is an island, and the uk is technically a country, no matter how much separatists want to change that (I’m assuming the people you know are separatist) the uk will always be better than 4 independent states

[@leeharwood9624]

I'm from Newcastle. Pons alius the wall runs straight through the city nkt that you cab see it. Hadrian also built the Fort hear and the very first Tyne bridge that had the only imperial seal outside of rome I read

[@geoffreycodnett6570]

The wall is traceable in various places in Newcastle. Bits on roadside, behind houses, you only need to get a guidebook. The OS does a useful map as well. There's a further wall in Scotland, the Antonine wall built mainly of turf and much further north. The Romans left marching camps and forts further north still. Signal stations on Gask Ridge were visible briefly I suspect about 35 years ago. You can't doubt Hadrians wall was there to control land both sides. In one place it follows the crags with an enormous drop to the north. The Pictii or Painted people were north of the wall in Roman times. South of the wall there's evidence of a large number of "Romans " actually being from all over the empire.

[@davidl63]

I love how you take history and bring it back to life referencing modern issues. And your concluding words are so relevant today - "If you give yourself time to think, maybe those walls will come down themselves"

[@knmmorrison]

Very insightful Bruce, as always bringing history into the 21st century and man's ability to repeat history in whichever guise we chose. Keep up the good work

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thanks Kenneth

[@philattlee1]

agreed. Good explanation of history and great work tying it all to modern thinking and way of life.

[@wasteyelo1]

Love these videos Bruce. Always fascinating.

[@britanniafirst1254]

Very thought provoking and well presented. Thank you.

[@phillt9134]

As always, brilliant. It's great to hear history told entertainingly with facts rather than rumour and opinion. Long may your videos continue.

[@joanr3189]

I was glad to wake up this morning to this timely talk about Hadrian’s wall. Just last night I mentioned the Romans, and Hadrian’s wall at the dinner table. Now, listening to this presentation byBruce Fumey, I realize that this story has a level of depth that I was unaware of. So interesting. I saw a chunk of Hadrian’s Wall at the Hunterian. .

[@dublindave78]

Your Google assistant was listening to your dinner table conversation, and the algorithm then suggested this video to you on youtube. Maybe.

[@scothoser]

Thank you, Bruce, for your insights! Your Roman history is spot-on, and your perspective is really thought-provoking. As a proud Scottish-American, who’s family came from Perthshire by the way, I look forward to your videos!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I'm delighted

[@j_vasey]

When ppl try getting negative about either the Scottish or the English, I like to say the romans got to Newcastle and loved it so much and said that’s enough we stop here. Another great video as always. Educational and allowing for the contemplative

[@philiprufus4427]

THE ROMANS BUILT A WALL BETWEEN THE RIVERS CLYDE AND FORTH KNOWN AS ANTONINES WALL AFTER THE EMPEROR ANTONINUS PIUS. THEY ALSO HAD A BATTLE WITH THE CALEDONIAN TRIBES AT A PLACE CALLED MONS GRAUPUS ( modern Aberdeen or therabouts) THEY ARE REPUTED TO HAVE WON THIS BATTLE AND USED THE GERMANICUS AUXILIARIES. NO ROMAN LEGION WAS COMITTED IN THE BATTLE. (SO MUCH FOR - ''THE ROMANS NEVER GOT TO SCOTLAND' - THEY PROBABLY LEFT BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER.

[@j_vasey]

@@philiprufus4427 you didn't honestly take my theory seriously did you? I was simply referring to a silly remark I make to diffuse arguments amongst the more ignorant. You know the type that might start shouting about Antony or Hadrian being better or even General Paulinus for that matter.

[@carlosjackal7624]

You mean carlisle john

[@SnakePlisskin.]

Great way of looking @ it...

[@j_vasey]

@@carlosjackal7624 it’s not a serious post I just use it to try and make light of what sometimes can become confrontational.

[@danielgriffiths2158]

Incredible video and message as always!

[@endatheworld]

Jaysus, you went deep there! The way you think and speak is wonderfully mindful and provides provocative insight and opinion. I appreciate how you can get us into the mindset of different people. This is essential for understanding history, and our current selves/condition. Great video and presentation. Thank you

[@pseudoborderscot5836]

Another informative and superbly edited video, thanks for posting. 👍

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

My pleasure!

[@fearthekilt]

Great story, beautifully told. Elegant and entertaining as per the usual Bruce. Thanks for the lesson and good morning from America!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Good morning!

[@pathardage1880]

You only left the classroom physically, didn't you. I really appreciate how you lay into your topic with, "Let me tell you a story." "Attaboy, Bruce." Thank you.

[@kiliclark5830]

Great landscape. Thx Bruce!

[@clarksonad]

Loved this. Really beautiful message, and I could listen to your voice all day.

[@russmeans]

Bruce, we love ya! Your insights and wit make scottish history so interesting. Thank you❤️

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nickwhite8408]

The fact it's lasted so long is a testament to Roman ingenuity, you certainly couldn't say the same for modern architecture

[@carlbrown9082]

Thanks for the thought-provoking video, Bruce. Your take on history is as always refreshingly unique.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

My pleasure!

[@elendil7]

Excellent video, in every way. Thank you, Bruce and team! 🙏💜

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@hotelsierra86]

Welcome home,Bruce, I knew the Brummies, Scousers, Geordies,and all would welcome your flag of peace during this desperate time. Thanks for your video. Times past are times past. We must move on. Respect. HS87

[@junestewart5098]

Pretty philosophical my friend and reflects, I believe, what many others are also thinking 😊

[@MrMegamike2k]

Your videos aren't just a history lesson, but a life lesson as well. Well done!!

[@jasonratcliffe3137]

“And if you think long enough,maybe, those wall will come down….” Beautifully put.

[@emwa3299]

Wonderful and love the lapse into philosophy - good man 🙏✨

[@saiello2061]

Coming originally from the North East, I personally know this area very well and it was nice to recognise all of the places in the video and to get a different perspective. There's a unique mystique about Hadrians wall, especially had on those dark, dank misty evenings that stirs the imagination. I'm fascinated by concept of the "wall", it has deep and widespread philosophical, psychological and ultimately societal impact. Without the concept of a wall you cannot differentiate, if you cannot differentiate, nothing would exist. A well known biologist was once asked what they considered to be the most important structure in biology above all else, their answer was the cell wall.

[@HowWeGotHere]

Really appreciated this especially the metaphor at the end.

[@williampaddock4863]

Love your commentary Great Job Keep up the good work Thankyou

[@tomwilkinson392]

It made a change for somebody to acknowledge that looking north or south from Hadrian’s Wall you still see England! The beautiful County of Northumberland lies north of the Wall and we’re English, even farther north than Berwick- on - Tweed 😉.

[@garwood.5993]

Amazing video Fumi .🌈 💪🏽love your personal addition nearing the end of the video , words from a wise soul. Descendant of the ancient Douglas, Lewis , Murray, Montague,James clan and many more. Would love to visit Scotland soon. Maybe you would be kind enough to show me some local sites.

[@liliilani]

Thus is your best one yet... I love your message at the end! 💜🤗💜🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@kathleenmccrory9883]

Thoughtful and insightful. I'm for bringing down all walls. Enjoy your weekend.

[@Scurvybilgerat10]

Very interesting and insightful, there is a very basic history of the wall taught abroad. i often tell my mates from abroad that i am English but am from north of the wall even on visits people assume if they step across the wall they are in Scotland

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

This isn't history, it's a woke lecture.

[@IanTed]

Living 3 miles north of the wall, I love how many of my English countryman and Scottish friendsare obsessed with the wall being the border. I’m proud of living in the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, even though my ancestors were Danes😜. Great video by the way, there are far too many ‘walls’ in this world👍

[@c4four132]

it's very unlikely that even the majority of your ancestors were danes. extremely unlikely

[@c4four132]

unless you are from a recent Danish immigrant family of course i didnt consider that

[@UstashaMe84]

@@c4four132 right lol.

[@simontemplate]

Utterly super! I very much enjoyed this - thank you 😊

[@christopherlarsen7788]

Good grief...I could listen to this man all day! Brilliant, and charming. Cheers from the USA!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Wow, thanks!

[@pig733t9]

As a proud English woman, loved this video and your thoughts on how we all put barriers up.

[@JesseP.Watson]

@phil stabler 'Nationalist' can mean any number of things, from the heading of a smear campaign implying someone is a racist zenophobe to someone who has some cultural attachment to the Nation to which they belong, to an independentist. Which are you implying and how have you reached that conclusion?

[@chimps4gimps]

@phil stabler That’s a seriously confusing response fella.

[@jodu626]

@@JesseP.Watson it’s only racist if it’s English nationalism. once independence is sorted we’ll find someone else to eat.

[@JesseP.Watson]

@@chimps4gimps [Quietly backing away]

[@gavinscone1921]

@phil stabler There's nothing better than a pint of view under one's skint to console one. It won't however necessarily render one stabler.

[@johnmurray2995]

Very good. The idea of the Wall being there to keep people in is a new one for me, so definitely learned something there. I can remember learning when I was little that 90% of Northumberland is north of the Wall and then being rather disgruntled that all the cartoons showing it keeping out wild people in kilts were not exactly historically accurate.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Exactement

[@nickallen2071]

Yet the oldest depiction of kilt wearers in the UK, as far as I'm aware, is a stone carving in Kirknewton Church, Northumberland!

[@robertjackson8199]

Just drove into my favourite place. Caw fields quarry. Am very lucky to live there.

[@xxnewguyxx]

Great production and well presented video, thanks!

[@TimmsMJ]

I was taught that Hadrian (with his architect hat on) built the wall to indicate that this was where the Roman Empire and the protection/advantages it offered ended. He knew the Empire was shrinking. As for tearing it down...no thank you, it is an excellent walking route as well as an historical site, anyone seeing it as a 'political monument' needs the calm down a little, in my humble opinion.

[@thedestiny326]

I think it was becouse of the invasion of Caledonia (Now Scotland)

[@Libertarianach_na_h-Alba]

I wish it was rebuilt, not as a means of division, but something to visit, to stand and admire, to look upon of it's beauty, then again, I suppose the ruins of Hadrian's wall already gives us that romanticised image and feeling. I've yet to visit it, it's something spectacular and would have been incredible to see when it was fully constructed. Great video as always, I think, to me, it's a wall that is symbolic of our people. Whether you have come across the book or not, you may find Edwin Pace's book 'The Long War for Britannia' which covers part of that. Like the Antonine wall, I will always have that feeling of wishing I could see it when fully built, but that's life. On a side note, if you haven't covered the Antonine wall, it would be amazing to see that.

[@BagBoy81]

Check out Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort.

[@AxR558]

For me, the beauty of the wall (and other ruins/monuments) is their impermanence. I do wonder what will remain of our society in 2000 years that people will visit as a monument or relic of the past.

[@josephinebennington7247]

I’ve often mentioned, around these parts, that I’d like to see a full mile of the wall reconstructed just to make manifest the true magnificence and effect it would have had at the time. No luck so far.

[@Subvenio]

Wallsend has an intact section of the wall.

[@derekathomson]

There are small sections reconstructed at both Vindalanda and Wallsend.

[@bettyrobb8219]

I love your telling of history!🙋‍♀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇦

[@julianwild8556]

I particularly liked the final thought segment about taking time to sit and think. I’ve always enjoyed your talks!

[@starrynight1329]

Great video, thanks for the history lesson and current social situation lesson 😁.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

You're welcome

[@daftydave5349]

I love going up to the top of the cheviots - it’s got more of a spiritual and mythic quality than the wall. Almost like a geordie Uluru. You get a beautiful view across the hills and plains of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders - it’s almost like both are combining to give you a viewing platform to show you how beautiful yet relatively insignificant our lands and we are.

[@simonn2045]

There's no borders up there, just the view of miles of countryside and the occasional farm and walker

[@elskeletor3566]

Thanks for these videos.

[@cherylK228]

Great video and much appreciated pearls of wisdom on many levels😀

[@searoversbali]

As a Geordie, literally born at the Wallsend, and still having Scottish relatives. If Scotland ever does become independent I want the border to be Hadrian's wall so I can become Scottish.

[@weeradge5771]

As a resident of Newcastle, I agree.

[@jeremymcnatt6319]

I love how you compare these old events with the modern struggles of today. Great video as always! Very insightful!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Cheers Jeremy

[@eamonnclabby7067]

Hear,hear....

[@colinsmith6116]

Most intertesting thank you Bruce. I find all your videos that I watch fascinating, and, dare I say it, a lot are new to me, so you are not only giving me entertainment, you are also educating me.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Brilliant

[@SG-1-GRC]

Interesting presentation. Thank you. I've visited the wall a couple of times and Scotland many times more. We are all of us, on this beautiful island blessed to have history visible and accessible all around us.

[@devonbikefilms]

What a brilliant history (and geopolitical) lesson and insight. Sadly most of the walls we build are in our own heads. As I’ve travelled the world I’ve found the majority of people to be decent and helpful. Some very fine wisdom there as well.

[@peterblood50]

Of course I was taught the wall was meant to keep out the Scots, so it was quite a surprise to find out that was not the case. Thanks Bruce. 👍✌

[@k1er4n544]

I mean after Boudicca putting fear into the Romans and almost I kicking them out, I am not surprised although the final battle was a massacre for Boudicca. Hadd the Romans not had woodland flanking them it would have turned out to be them being Massacred.

[@adventussaxonum448]

The Scots would be in Ireland for a few hundred years more, and the English in Denmark/Northern Germany for about the same time. People on both sides of the Wall would have been Britons (or Welsh as the Anglo-Saxons later called them).

[@AntoekneeDetaecho]

Wonderfully thought provoking

[@judyspeckin5950]

Absolutely great video!!!

[@JPHOT100]

When I was at school in England doing history O Level in 1978 - 1980 the only thing we were taught were places, names and dates which, I am certain, was simply to make examining us easier. No true understanding or appreciation of the relevance of what we were “learning” was required. My teacher lazily and soullessly dictated notes to us which we wrote up neatly for homework; he was the worst teacher I’ve ever had. The result was that the 16 year old me thought history was pointless and boring. Scroll forward a few decades to when I met one of my best mates, a Scottish lawyer who studied Scottish history at St Andrew’s, who made me realise that our entire society is rooted in history which is about real people with real lives and real issues and I find the subject absolutely fascinating (and the fact that we keep repeating past mistakes equally terrifying). You, sir, are a fantastic teacher and I’ll be watching everything you post. Thank you.

[@spearmintvole9522]

That’s because those are the only facts. Everything else is supposition and projection by people far removed from events.

[@colinearnshaw7725]

Pretty good! I was for many years a guide along Hadrian's Wall and the forts and agree with all you have said. It was as much about 'divide and rule' (rather like the Berlin Wall) and not a defensive structure at all. Couple of minor points. It is Hexham Abbey - it isn't a cathedral, and dates from 674 AD. And I used to mention that all of us Brits were Celts - and largely still are.

[@UkSapyy]

The Celts died out a millennium ago as they mixed with newer more dominant cultures. However, if you go off the DNA we'd all show as British, I agree. A mix of all past peoples, English and Scottish is the stuff of kings and queens people still buy into.

[@markwilkie3677]

@@UkSapyy There was an interesting study undertaken by Edinburgh Uni a few years ago. They found a DNA marker suggesting 10% of Scottish men are directly descended from the Picts. I`m not disputing what you are saying, just highlighting an interesting study if you have never come across it, and interested.

[@duanemarshall1889]

If krankie has her way you'll have a new sturgeon wall if she gets independence to confirm to EU rules

[@angr3819]

Celts is the only recognised ethnic minority here. All of we descended from the old tribes including those in the SW and SE of these Isles as lumped together with Celts, even those who are entirely Briton by descent.

[@Time-traveller777]

@@UkSapyy describing the pict's I've all the characteristics. It's in my D.N.A so safe bet I'm Scottish.

[@garyburns2831]

Love your stories keep them coming

[@TheDarkNikolai1]

I found this video as I was considering visiting this part of our history to see it with my own eyes. Thanks for your knowledge mate, probably going on a rabbit hole now!

[@GeordieAmanda]

As a Geordie, I've always known I am English, but felt more of a kinship with the lowland Scots. We certainly share a lot of similar traditions and many similar dialect words. It's one of the reasons I hope Scotland doesn't become fully independent to England. I like popping over the border to visit our Northern cousins (they may well feel differently about me coming up to visit 😄) .

[@Herr_Flick_of_ze_Gestapo]

we are the same people. same dna. same ancestors. dont forget that the scottish borders used to be part of a saxon kingdom for a very long time.

[@skasteve6528]

I've been to the Birdoswald part years ago. The guides there said it was as much about monitoring migration, regulation of imports & taxation as well as a demonstration of Roman power, as keeping the Picts out. So pretty much what you said. Although you were more eloquent about it. I guess that's why you've got over 100k subscribers. 😀 I also heard that Hadrian only got his walls built because he was going to get the barbarians to pay for them.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😜

[@captainmargaret6235]

I absolutely love your videos, I’m a proud Englishman with nothing but love and respect for all. Keep up the good work. Peace, Love and Light ❤

[@barbaralavoie1045]

Always enjoy your “stories”, Bruce. Hadrians Wall is very interesting. Thank you.🤗👍

[@DodgeI]

if any Englishman says the wall should be rebuilt then he isn't a true Englishman because a true Englishman is British just like i would like to believe a true Scott is British also. I am an English Brit, just like my Scottish brothers are Scottish Brits. I would like to think we have moved away from this tribalism between our land on our island. for centuries we have created families from both sides of the ruined wall and i hope for centuries to come we keep making families. My second name is Scottish and i hope my Scottish ancestors are happy with my families English migration because technically the Scottish, English (and Welsh) have conquered each other, we all hate our politicians so lets try and stop them from getting between us. if the Scottish bleed, the English and Welsh bleed. we are the same and this is our island ✊! The Irish are also family and i didn't mean to exclude them! (*edited to correct a couple wee mistakes)

[@jenniferharrison4319]

So true. I was born in Lancashire to an English mother and Scot/Irish father. I have a tiny bit of Welsh too, probably from my mothers side. Those of us with indigenous ancestors are one blood, one nation, we cannot be divided. If l have to put my nationality down on a form l put British for that is what l am.

[@raymondhaskin9449]

When you realise the Scots language is just old Northumbrian English, then you realise just how ridiculous Scottish nationalism really is. The idea that English and Scots are foreign to one another is absurd. They are the same people.

[@mikhailabunidal9146]

@@raymondhaskin9449 Remember that before the arrival of the Scots and English languages came to be in Scotland many Scotsmen had their own ancestral language : Scottish Gaelic

[@billycaspersghost7528]

@@mikhailabunidal9146 Unless they were Picts ,then they spoke a British/Welsh form of Brythonic ,not the Irish /Goidelic Celtic language of the Invading Scots from Ireland.

[@raymondhaskin9449]

@@mikhailabunidal9146 Gaelic wasn’t the native language of Scotland. Pictish was. An old British language spoken long before Gaelic ever arrived.

[@nikkigraham7494]

Its always strange living in this area and being from the scottish side knowing the stigma that comes with the wall. Did you know about the last hanging tree in Brampton Bruce? Bonnie Prince Charlie's men captured and hung just up the road from my house.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😥 We spent a couple of days in Brampton as well

[@bill-2018]

There's a monument there, 6 were hanged with three of them from the Manchester Regiment, I recall. Stayed at the campsite quite a bit going to Scotland but only a night going or coming home. Last time I had three nights on the campsite so saw more than previous occasions: I had forgotten about the stocks, visited the old church, hill fort with the statue of someone who did a lot for the village, to Lanercost Priory, Bewcastle Cross and on to Selkirk for two nights.

[@aimshot500]

you are a gem mate, love every episode, Your enthusiasm and in depth knowledge mixed in with a little humor is captivating. Keep it coming Bigguin

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Ah thanks, will do!

[@gavdanby-cooper9085]

Very well written. Thank you. I enjoyed this and learned.

[@peterboyd7149]

I am from cumbernauld there was also Antonine's wall ok it was less permanent than Hadrians. I moved to the royal burgh of Rutherglen. I would love to knew more about the royal burghs of the Scottish crown.

[@bill-2018]

When I was married we went to Bonnybridge to look at the Antonine Wall. My ex wasn't impressed with it.

[@osgar333]

Considering the amount of research that's clearly done in these videos, I'm stunned at the error here that says that Hadrians Wall was to 'keep the English in'. The English i.e Anglo Saxons arrived around 400 years after the wall was built. The English therefore were not to the south at the time of Roman occupation. Neither were the Scots to the north. It was the Picts to the north and Brythonic Celtic speaking peoples to the south of the wall. The Scots were still in Ireland and the Anglo Saxons still in Germania and what is today Denmark.

[@rucko7415]

He already says that England and Scotland won’t exist for centuries at the beginning. “Keeping the English in” is a cheeky joke referring to the purpose of the wall being the opposite of what is commonly thought.

[@Peter-gc2yd]

There is always someone who deliberately or otherwise misses the point. Why don’t they pay attention to what’s being said.

[@andrewrymell1]

Fascinating stuff!

[@epoch71]

Proud Geordie here, from Segedunum (Wallsend). Excellent video, superb production, and incredibly informative and entertaining. +Subscribed and looking forward to watching your other content. Thanks!

[@okiwatashi2349]

I really wish more people could hear your words from the end of the video Bruce. I had been considering the whole equality debate, and to me it seems obvious that people are not equal, some are tall and strong, others have great minds for physics etc, that’s just the way it is. However, everyone has there own value to themselves and those around them, and if we could all take a dose of sense, like your epilogue, the world would be a better place. Thanks

[@pollyduron674]

I loved the comparison of the walls built then and the ones we build today. Another deep video. I'm really enjoying all of them and sharing with my sons.

[@Mando221b]

Absolutely fascinating! Love this channel

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Much appreciated!

[@darriendastar3941]

"Immigration control, defensive structure, political soundbite and national monument that these British Isles have ever known." Thank God you cleared up you were talking about Hadrian's Wall. For a moment there I thought you were repeating something from Priti Patel's speech as she introduced her Immigration and Nationality Bill.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

🤣

[@anarchodolly]

Excellent video! At the time of its construction, the wall didn't really make any sense as a defensive structure. There wasn't a significant enough threat from the far north to warrant such an effort. It makes far more sense though when viewed as a way of controlling the occupied north, pinning down guerrilla fighters by restricting both their movements, and the movements of the civilian population fleeing further north with their livestock. It's best understood I think as being less like the Great Wall Of China and more like the Berlin Wall. It's about controlling a colonised population, not keeping out invaders. Ironically, it was the Roman's efforts to "Romanise" their neighbours that turned them into bigger threats, as all around the margins of the empire, the various tribes became more centralised, hierarchical and militaristic in an effort to stave off the constant threat of Roman aggression. Rome remade the "barbarians" in its own image.

[@thephantomraspberryblower2675]

Like the meme SJW, "Who made you so hateful?" Regular bloke, "You did."

[@geoffreycodnett6570]

Stand on the wall at Winshields crags and say it wasn't defensive. The wall itself was several metre high with crenelatios to the north. Forts and milecastles weren't built for the view. The gates in the wall could have allowed a defensive force to exit quickly or allow entry to traders. The building of a later wall is more probably a decision to firmly tell the Picts who was in charge.

[@markwatson8714]

@@geoffreycodnett6570 The problem there being the Picts are somewhat known for being rather good with boats ...

[@BBCBUS]

Great video. Very thought provoking.

[@JustinHEMI05]

I am from the USA and I visited Hadrian's wall and Wroxeter today. So far some of my favorite sites. Then I came looking for information KZbin and, by far, this is my favourite video on the subject. Thank you!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Wonderful!

[@stuartc6303]

Growing up in England people always used to say to me "we should rebuild the wall to keep you lot out." Fine by me, that way Scotland get a whole load of free land. The gammons don't even know where the wall is in relation to the border.

[@austinbux]

*"As a Scot I can't count the number of times I've heard our southern neighbours say they should rebuild this wall to keep us [Scots] out." * I've never heard any English person talk about Scots like that in 34 years of living here. Do you think you may be projecting? Whenever Scots talk about what they think English people think of them, it just seems to be a projection of their own bigotry and bitterness.

[@choochter77gamer59]

So the Scots are "bigoted and bitter"? Must be so, because you said it.

[@austinbux]

​@@choochter77gamer59 No, that's not quite what I said. I'm talking about a minority of Scots who talk about the English in a certain way.

[@douglassayers9109]

You talk so much sense as well the brilliant history story you tell

[@craig8118]

Nice one mte, good Info. Bless.