Argonaut cheers again. Yes it’s quite difficult to visualise the layout of these places from the ground, especially the last castle. Thanks for watching as always!!
Paddyc cheers Paddy!! Aye apart from the odd mention of Bannockburn or Robert the Bruce nobody in the mainstream wants to cover the 600 odd years brutal war between Scotland and England??
Really informative and the drone footage gave the viewer an excellent perspective of the size of these ancient buildings. One can only imagine how violent these times were. Cornwall and various other places lay claim to Merlin and the Arthurian legend, but the parish of Arthuret surely has the best! Keep up the great work. Two avid viewers here...Regards Roger & Diane
garn fora ratch cheers guys!! Aye they’re all after Merlin and Arthur for their tourism industries😆😆 But they were definitely based in the North of England / South Scotland...in my humble opinion. Thanks again for watching!!
They were wooden castles. Wooden castles preceded stone. If they did excavations post holes and other things may be found. Thank you so much for uncovering the lost history of Scotland.
I have always wanted to see Liddel Strength - you have made this possible - thank you so much Mark and may I say your video's are just getting better and better :) LOVED THIS ONE
@@MarkNicol123 I can't believe things are not being done to advertise such a beauty . It look's impressive - god I would love to get my metal detector buzzing around that spot ;)
These two sites are often confused with each other, good to see someone showing them as individual separate sites. Next challenge is find Clintwood Castle...I've tried and failed, cheers Mark.
Howard Mattinson there are so many old tower sites in that area a lot of them are completely lost. I’ve never actually looked for Clintwood...but this sounds like a challenge😄
@@MarkNicol123 I've been to the Clintwood Castle site marked on the OS map, but, I don't think it's right, however between Liddle Castle and the Clintwood Site there's another 'earth work' be keen to see what you make of it... You're right there's loads of old Tower sites...It's an interesting area.
Isobel Chapman thanks Isobel. Getting the music right is never simple. Trying to get the balance between drama and info is difficult, know what you’re saying I was worried it was a bit too loud near the end. Thanks again for watching😁
Amazing , fantastic history....thanks so much for all your efforts to show us these wonderful sights and tell the history!! Isn't it amazing what these hills are hiding....so glad you're finding it!!:):) Keep up the great work!!:)
As always, a good one, big thank you M! Hugs & sunshine 🌻N ps. So nice to see signs of spring over there, with the white flowerbuds..still winter over here..🌨☃️❄
Scotland is littered with forgotten places that have a deep history. Overgrown, without signposts of access paths. Finding these treasures is thrilling.
Cheers mark, I've never been to Hermitage, I always found it a strange and interesting building.... And I really never had a clue if the other fortresses... We can have an idea from your footage,the size of the place..
I've become utterly obsessed with my family heritage lately. I was raised Scottish in America. That my Clan was a part of Scotland. I imagined the typical kilts and bagpipes. For over 20 years I marched around thinking I was the same as any other Clan. I watched the historically inaccurate Braveheart thinking that was me. It wasn't. After learning of what happened to the Armstrongs I am full of emotion and grief. This was the general area I would have been born to if not for the slaughter of my Clan by both the Scottish and English. I can't hold back my tears knowing of what was taken from me. I grew up looking in the rolling hills of Northern California wondering if my homeland looked like this. It actually does. It fills me with anger and sadness. I'm a grown ass strong man. I carry the name Armstrong and live up to it proudly. Even more so now. I'm proud to be a border reiver. Despite that I cried in the shower today for the first time in 12 years since my daughter almost died in childbirth thinking about what happened to them. I'm conflicted. Confused. Craving to see the land my ancestors fought and died to protect. I can't thank Scotland enough for giving my Clan a tartan. For acknowledging my home. I'm thankful they have made a effort to preserve our heritage. I understand that the Armstrongs actually had a Chieftain. Because of that I still consider myself Scottish. But after reading about my history I can't help feel separated from Scotland. I crave to see this land. I've made a proclamation that I will visit before I die. A pilgrimage. I'm deeply thankful to Ireland for harboring our clan after their prosecution. Deeply thankful that my ancestors did what it takes to survive. I remain unvanquished.
@@MarkNicol123 I'll be binge watching your channel like it was Netflix. You're doing great work to help preserve our culture and history on UA-cam. Very thankful for that. Videos help show the land itself as opposed to reading a book.
Another great video Mark, excellent drone footage and photography. It is wonderful see our Scottish Border History come alive in your research and exploration of these forgotten sites. Looking forward to your next adventure.
I'm learning from a living library of borderlands history, now not to be lost with the use of Gucci tech. Liked, shared and saved for future reference.
Very atmospheric ! Great video. One of your best. Have you thought of writing a book ? The micro climate has a lot to do with wars because of the ability to grow food .
Hermitage castle is fantasticly creepy after reading Clan by David P Elliott and when on our first visit I was videoing inside the castle and my wife was in front of me and went through one of the old doorways higher up and we heard a loud hissing sound several times we both legged it 😂 really spooky. Love your passion for this history and story telling 👍
an eye-opener, thanks Mark... Known of Hermitage for a wee while, wanting to do a night shoot there (Milkyway etc),,,,, But no idea about these two earlier castles, any map references, need to be my next weekend free wander ..
For a few years I used to fish on the Liddel Water just upstream from Penton Bridge and I wondered then whether this was once a much more important crossing of the border than it now is; any views anyone? Thanks anyway Mark!
scott elliott hermitage isn’t the other 2 are. Give us a shout if you want a guided tour for 1 or 2 days while you’re over. Check my web site Discover Scottish Borders for more details
Great film,i looked for liddle strength but couldnt find it,thought it was near canonbie?visited Arthuret church with its ancient well and cross,Arthuret knowes are interesting and could liddel strength be an iron age hill fort?
Hi, Here is a link to John Leyden whose name is fast fading from the monument in Denholm's market square. A very interesting man. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leyden He wrote a ballad of Lord Soulis the evil sorcerer William II de Soules, who ends up being boiled alive at Nine stane rig nr. Hermatige castle. The De Soules whose seat was originally the Liddel Castle in Upper Liddesdale built and held by them, so the De Soules boiled at Hermitage is a descendant of the Ranolph De Soules murdered by his servants at Liddesdale castle. William de Soules was taught by the border magician Michael Scot who was an incredibly well educated man his bio is absolutely fascinating too. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scot
Anything built by man can be recreated, just a question of doing so accuratey. First you need to survey with ground penetrating radar, then you need to figure out where to put the excavated overburden, screen the soil for artifacts, identify and store artifacts (and building stone that wasn't carted off centuries ago), decide what structures to rebuild, etc. then provide guides and security to protect and maintain it. Just a question of money. I've thought about all that with Stobs Castle (after I win millions in the lottery some day), the house they almost dismantled and moved to Japan supposedly, ("The Ghost Goes West" was a 1930s movie about such a scheme), but just took off the roof, let it go to ruin and tore it down.
would be landowners fighting for possession to settle their herd, their chattel, from whom they could profit and afford to build their castles; their flock to have the wool pulled over their eyes, to be fleeced and finally be led to the slaughter. no man or corporation can own the land
I read somewhere that Lord DeSoulis was murdered by a member of the Armstrong Clan because DeSoulis wanted the daughter of the Clan Chief of the Armstrongs who he invited to Hermatage for dinner, and also that the Armstrongs boiled DeSoulis in a vat of molten lead? but my memory is vague as to where I read this info
To just imagine the life these castles once thrived with, is amazing. Thank you for showing us these places which we would never know about.
Kathy Armstrong cheers Kathy.
They really are haunting places.
This is some great footage. Amazing work Mark. Those Aerial views with the drone really shows the immensity of these layouts.
Argonaut cheers again.
Yes it’s quite difficult to visualise the layout of these places from the ground, especially the last castle.
Thanks for watching as always!!
Full of Scottish history you just don’t get anywhere else. Good work mate 👍.
Paddyc cheers Paddy!!
Aye apart from the odd mention of Bannockburn or Robert the Bruce nobody in the mainstream wants to cover the 600 odd years brutal war between Scotland and England??
Really informative and the drone footage gave the viewer an excellent perspective of the size of these ancient buildings. One can only imagine how violent these times were. Cornwall and various other places lay claim to Merlin and the Arthurian legend, but the parish of Arthuret surely has the best! Keep up the great work. Two avid viewers here...Regards Roger & Diane
garn fora ratch cheers guys!!
Aye they’re all after Merlin and Arthur for their tourism industries😆😆
But they were definitely based in the North of England / South Scotland...in my humble opinion.
Thanks again for watching!!
They were wooden castles. Wooden castles preceded stone. If they did excavations post holes and other things may be found. Thank you so much for uncovering the lost history of Scotland.
I have always wanted to see Liddel Strength - you have made this possible - thank you so much Mark and may I say your video's are just getting better and better :) LOVED THIS ONE
Joolz Brutnell thanks Joolz!!
The sheer size of Liddel Strength is something to behold, and the way it’s been completely forgotten.
@@MarkNicol123 I can't believe things are not being done to advertise such a beauty . It look's impressive - god I would love to get my metal detector buzzing around that spot ;)
Brilliant loved his energy and knowledge of these places long forgotten.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the long forgotten history lesson Mark. Awesome again as usual. Never knew any of that except for Hermitage of course
tricky dicky cheers Tricky.
Aye the other 2 are almost completely overlooked.
These two sites are often confused with each other, good to see someone showing them as individual separate sites. Next challenge is find Clintwood Castle...I've tried and failed, cheers Mark.
Howard Mattinson there are so many old tower sites in that area a lot of them are completely lost.
I’ve never actually looked for Clintwood...but this sounds like a challenge😄
@@MarkNicol123 I've been to the Clintwood Castle site marked on the OS map, but, I don't think it's right, however between Liddle Castle and the Clintwood Site there's another 'earth work' be keen to see what you make of it... You're right there's loads of old Tower sites...It's an interesting area.
Love the music keep it up. haunting didn't like the noisy music near the end, love medieval music keep it softer, love your history; a fan xx
Isobel Chapman thanks Isobel.
Getting the music right is never simple. Trying to get the balance between drama and info is difficult, know what you’re saying I was worried it was a bit too loud near the end.
Thanks again for watching😁
Amazing , fantastic history....thanks so much for all your efforts to show us these wonderful sights and tell the history!! Isn't it amazing what these hills are hiding....so glad you're finding it!!:):) Keep up the great work!!:)
Sundown thank you as always.
Sir Walter Scott was right when he said every hill and valley round here hides a story.
As always, a good one, big thank you M! Hugs & sunshine 🌻N
ps. So nice to see signs of spring over there, with the white flowerbuds..still winter over here..🌨☃️❄
Sunshine&SilverArrow thanks as always!!
Been like summer here last few days......worlds gone mad😄😄
Scotland is littered with forgotten places that have a deep history. Overgrown, without signposts of access paths. Finding these treasures is thrilling.
Cheers mark, I've never been to Hermitage, I always found it a strange and interesting building.... And I really never had a clue if the other fortresses... We can have an idea from your footage,the size of the place..
Jeff Moore cheers Jeff.
Aye the last site is massive.
I've become utterly obsessed with my family heritage lately. I was raised Scottish in America. That my Clan was a part of Scotland. I imagined the typical kilts and bagpipes. For over 20 years I marched around thinking I was the same as any other Clan. I watched the historically inaccurate Braveheart thinking that was me. It wasn't. After learning of what happened to the Armstrongs I am full of emotion and grief. This was the general area I would have been born to if not for the slaughter of my Clan by both the Scottish and English. I can't hold back my tears knowing of what was taken from me. I grew up looking in the rolling hills of Northern California wondering if my homeland looked like this. It actually does. It fills me with anger and sadness. I'm a grown ass strong man. I carry the name Armstrong and live up to it proudly. Even more so now. I'm proud to be a border reiver. Despite that I cried in the shower today for the first time in 12 years since my daughter almost died in childbirth thinking about what happened to them. I'm conflicted. Confused. Craving to see the land my ancestors fought and died to protect. I can't thank Scotland enough for giving my Clan a tartan. For acknowledging my home. I'm thankful they have made a effort to preserve our heritage. I understand that the Armstrongs actually had a Chieftain. Because of that I still consider myself Scottish. But after reading about my history I can't help feel separated from Scotland. I crave to see this land. I've made a proclamation that I will visit before I die. A pilgrimage. I'm deeply thankful to Ireland for harboring our clan after their prosecution. Deeply thankful that my ancestors did what it takes to survive. I remain unvanquished.
Hope to see you some day!!🏴🇺🇸💪
ua-cam.com/video/b5zGdwTUW2s/v-deo.html
@@MarkNicol123 I'll be binge watching your channel like it was Netflix. You're doing great work to help preserve our culture and history on UA-cam. Very thankful for that. Videos help show the land itself as opposed to reading a book.
Traveled between Hawick and Kershope so often yet never been up to Hermitage castle, I really should.
Obi don do it man!!
Go in the winter when it’s shut, more chance of getting it to yourself, and you can really soak up the atmosphere.
Cheers for the tip.
Another great video Mark, excellent drone footage and photography. It is wonderful see our Scottish Border History come alive in your research and exploration of these forgotten sites. Looking forward to your next adventure.
June Stewart thanks June.
Loads of projects in my head just not a lot of time to do them😄
I'm learning from a living library of borderlands history, now not to be lost with the use of Gucci tech. Liked, shared and saved for future reference.
Scott Stevenson cheers Scott!!
Thanks for watching!!
Great video Mark ! So interesting !Thanks !
sophie laurencich no worries Sophie, cheers😁
Very atmospheric ! Great video. One of your best. Have you thought of writing a book ? The micro climate has a lot to do with wars because of the ability to grow food .
Hermitage castle is fantasticly creepy after reading Clan by David P Elliott and when on our first visit I was videoing inside the castle and my wife was in front of me and went through one of the old doorways higher up and we heard a loud hissing sound several times we both legged it 😂 really spooky. Love your passion for this history and story telling 👍
why dont we rebuild the castles and open them up as b&B's, keep these doc's coming your good lad
jack harrison great idea, do you have a spare few million quid 😁😄
Cheers for watching again Jack!
Great video Mark
Alea actiest thanks man!!
Great sites to visit
Cracking, as always 😉
tracey spark thanks Tracey!!😁
Really good Mark, loved this one. I'd never heard of the fortresses you covered.
Ford Renton cheers Ford!
There are so many ruined towers and fortresses down that way, these are 2 of the biggest though.
an eye-opener, thanks Mark... Known of Hermitage for a wee while, wanting to do a night shoot there (Milkyway etc),,,,, But no idea about these two earlier castles, any map references, need to be my next weekend free wander ..
Excellent production!
LinnTractorNut thanks man!!!
LinnTractorNut thanks man!!!
Good stuff!
David Bell cheers Dave!!
Thanks Mark for another excellent bit of Border history. Will be following your invitation to discover it for myself this coming July.
Love your music choice
It must have been a brutally hard and short life for all back then, may they rest in peace.
For a few years I used to fish on the Liddel Water just upstream from Penton Bridge and I wondered then whether this was once a much more important crossing of the border than it now is; any views anyone?
Thanks anyway Mark!
Hopefully mid- 2020 I'll be taking my first trip there from U.S. Are these places difficult to find?
scott elliott hermitage isn’t the other 2 are.
Give us a shout if you want a guided tour for 1 or 2 days while you’re over.
Check my web site Discover Scottish Borders for more details
@@MarkNicol123 That would be awesome!.Thanks
U made me smile when u said " but sadly ive now had to cross the frontier, we're now on the English side " LMAO
Great film,i looked for liddle strength but couldnt find it,thought it was near canonbie?visited Arthuret church with its ancient well and cross,Arthuret knowes are interesting and could liddel strength be an iron age hill fort?
Maybe was in the ancient past yes, but def was a dark ages castle too.
Took me ages to find it. Ended up parking in some farm cottage’s driveway.
Hi, Here is a link to John Leyden whose name is fast fading from the monument in Denholm's market square. A very interesting man. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leyden He wrote a ballad of Lord Soulis the evil sorcerer William II de Soules, who ends up being boiled alive at Nine stane rig nr. Hermatige castle. The De Soules whose seat was originally the Liddel Castle in Upper Liddesdale built and held by them, so the De Soules boiled at Hermitage is a descendant of the Ranolph De Soules murdered by his servants at Liddesdale castle. William de Soules was taught by the border magician Michael Scot who was an incredibly well educated man his bio is absolutely fascinating too. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scot
I wonder if they could restore that castle?
Ricochet Hermitage the Stone Castle at the start is looked after by historic Scotland.
The other 2 are beyond restoring I think.
Anything built by man can be recreated, just a question of doing so accuratey. First you need to survey with ground penetrating radar, then you need to figure out where to put the excavated overburden, screen the soil for artifacts, identify and store artifacts (and building stone that wasn't carted off centuries ago), decide what structures to rebuild, etc. then provide guides and security to protect and maintain it. Just a question of money. I've thought about all that with Stobs Castle (after I win millions in the lottery some day), the house they almost dismantled and moved to Japan supposedly, ("The Ghost Goes West" was a 1930s movie about such a scheme), but just took off the roof, let it go to ruin and tore it down.
LinnTractorNut aye getting the cash is the stumbling block right enough
Still could not find the first piece of music .?
would be landowners fighting for possession to settle their herd, their chattel, from whom they could profit and afford to build their castles; their flock to have the wool pulled over their eyes, to be fleeced and finally be led to the slaughter. no man or corporation can own the land
Mark what is the music at the begining ? It's lovely :)
Joolz Brutnell A La Luna by Tarena
It’s a track off a royalty free music collection
You need to collaborate with a musician, maybe a piper? Tell him/her/them you could help them become world famous!
Often thought about trying to get a real musician on board.
@@MarkNicol123 Thank you :)
I read somewhere that Lord DeSoulis was murdered by a member of the Armstrong Clan because DeSoulis wanted the daughter of the Clan Chief of the Armstrongs who he invited to Hermatage for dinner, and also that the Armstrongs boiled DeSoulis in a vat of molten lead? but my memory is vague as to where I read this info
Just show us the castles without the dramatic presentation, then I'll watch.
Glad you enjoyed it😂
Whats the first tune? 👍
Boom tish A La Luna by Terena
It’s a track off a royalty free music collection