Skip to content

Exploring Scotland’s Historic Places

  • Castles, Scottish Borders

    Drochil Castle ruins, and the legacy of James Douglas

    Published by

    David

    on

    March 4, 2026
    Drochil Castle ruins, and the legacy of James Douglas

    This striking 16th-century ruin is located near the Lyne Water, about  6 miles (10 km) northwest of Peebles. Although apparently never finished, it was still lived in for a while. Not surprisingly, given its builder, it has a history steeped…

    Continue reading →: Drochil Castle ruins, and the legacy of James Douglas
  • Castles, Scottish Borders

    Buckholm Tower: History and Ghosts

    Published by

    David

    on

    February 11, 2026
    Buckholm Tower: History and Ghosts

    The weathered ruins of Buckholm Tower stand proudly on the hillside above the Gala Water, northwest of Galashiels. This 16th-century tower house once offered sweeping views over the approaches to the town. Built in 1582, it endured the tumultuous decades…

    Continue reading →: Buckholm Tower: History and Ghosts
  • Castles, Historical Events

    Understanding the Border Reivers: History and Impact

    Published by

    David

    on

    February 4, 2026
    Understanding the Border Reivers: History and Impact

    “The moon hangs low over the Cheviot Hills. Hooves drum against the frozen earth, and a line of riders slips through the mist. Their faces hidden beneath steel helmets, their cloaks keeping out the chill wind, their spears at their…

    Continue reading →: Understanding the Border Reivers: History and Impact
  • Castles, Scottish Borders

    Historic Branxholme Castle, and the Scott’s of Buccleuch

    Published by

    David

    on

    January 27, 2026
    Historic Branxholme Castle, and the Scott’s of Buccleuch

    Hidden by trees from the A7 main road that runs through Teviotdale, and just a few miles south-west of Hawick, Branxholme Castle is easily overlooked. It comprises an altered five-storey 16th-century tower house, incorporated into a mansion built in 1790…

    Continue reading →: Historic Branxholme Castle, and the Scott’s of Buccleuch
  • Aberdeenshire, Castles

    Explore the Enchanting Craigievar Castle in Scotland

    Published by

    David

    on

    January 13, 2026
    Explore the Enchanting Craigievar Castle in Scotland

    There are very few castles with such an evocative, fairytale-like appearance as Craigievar Castle. Located amidst the rolling foothills of the Grampian Mountains in Aberdeenshire, the castle is widely regarded as Scotland’s best-preserved and most cherished tower house. With its…

    Continue reading →: Explore the Enchanting Craigievar Castle in Scotland
Previous Page Next Page

Greetings

Welcome to Thistle & Time. Here you can follow my exploration of Scotland’s many historic places.

Thistle & Time Podcast: Click for details

Menu

  • Home
  • About this blog
  • Background links
  • Towers, Peels and Bastles of the Scottish Borders

Let’s connect

    • Instagram
    • Bluesky
    • Mail

    Recent posts

    • Exploring Bemersyde Tower: History and Architecture

      Exploring Bemersyde Tower: History and Architecture

    • Exploring Old Thirlestane Tower: A Historical Insight

      Exploring Old Thirlestane Tower: A Historical Insight

    • Bunkle Castle: Uncovering Scotland’s Medieval Heritage

      Bunkle Castle: Uncovering Scotland’s Medieval Heritage

    • Traquair House: Living History and Jacobite Legacy

      Traquair House: Living History and Jacobite Legacy

    • Whiteside Tower: Insights into Scottish Border History

      Whiteside Tower: Insights into Scottish Border History

    • Drochil Castle ruins, and the legacy of James Douglas

      Drochil Castle ruins, and the legacy of James Douglas

    Post Categories

    • Abbey ruins
    • Aberdeenshire
    • Argyll & Bute
    • Blog news
    • Bridges
    • Castles
    • Cathedrals & Churches
    • Clackmannanshire
    • Dumfries & Galloway
    • East Lothian
    • Edinburgh City
    • Eilean Siar
    • Falkirk
    • Highland
    • Historic houses
    • Historical Events
    • Midlothian
    • Monuments
    • Perth & Kinross
    • Scottish Borders
    • Standing Stones
    • Stirling
    • West Lothian

    Thistle & Time

    • Instagram
    • Mail

    Blog at WordPress.com.

    Loading Comments...

      • Subscribe Subscribed
        • Thistle & Time
        • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
        • Thistle & Time
        • Subscribe Subscribed
        • Sign up
        • Log in
        • Report this content
        • View site in Reader
        • Manage subscriptions
        • Collapse this bar

      Notifications