Another great video Mark....And here me stuck in Nigeria and feeling even more homesick. Wallace betrayed by his own countrymen: will we Scots ever learn?
Only a Scotsman could be disappointed that the sun has come out, the Cave makes sense that it would have a door, but with the door shut be warm but easy to capture in betrayal, makes me think the Wallace must have had complete confidence in the area being safe in loyalty, just to think that those steps and doorway were the same spot over 700 years back, the church I was thinking imagine the locals hauling up the great blocks of stone, amazing location, looks like the villages have long gone, must have been a fair size community to have such big headstones, great tour of the area, when there is local legend 9f such things, itsbeen passed down from father to son over 700 years, its bound to have weight behind it
Excellent video. I visited another Wallace's cave near Dunipace where Wallace was taught French and Latin by his uncle who was a priest. He supposedly hid out there after battle of Falkirk. Heard about it as a kid from local history but never knew if it was real. Finally found it today. It was Near Torwood castle, Tappoch broch, witches pool and Denovan church. So much history from 2000 years to 200 yrs ago in a small area. 🏴
Some great exploring Mark , I had to laugh when you found the steps ! Typical sort thing I would do lol . The cave was a decent size and not trashed like many these days . atb Dave
Loved every minute of it Mark, although watching some of those scary descents had me feeling my heart was in my mouth !! I too am sure Wallace spent much time in the borders and thank you for bringing part of that time to light,
I need to get back to the old country one of these days or years to see all the places you have shown us throughout all your videos. Thanks Mark for another great video , greetings from Alberta Canada
This is so great I am in America and of scottish descent I have never been able to visit your beautiful country this is great to see these spots I hope some day to visit in person.
Well done Marc ! Don't worry it took me many attempts to find the cave lots of scrambling up and down the river and getting stuck a few times too !! It was totally worth it though it's an amazing place ,the glen is one of my favourite places as I have told you before lots to discover. You need to check out the rock art below it's amazing.
@@Not_Yandere_Im_Ayano But the fierce Scots defended our land, they preserved their lives and culture against the number 1 empire in the world at the time while sharing the same land with the British when their both secluded on an island. Scotland the Brave!
Mr. Nicol, tipped-toed around Robert the Bruce's suspected allegiance to Edward the 1 through the battles for independence until Wallace was captured. I wonder what William would have thought, my guess is if his life was the price of freedom for Scotland I think he would have paid the price.
New to ur channel so am bing watching u and it barry stuff if u need a camra women am ur man love that closeness to history roots am happy just bk fi a day oot history treking bk hame in edinburgh cosy injoying thank u verry much love it 🤘🌻
Hi Mark, I really enjoy your videos. I am moving back home to Alnwick from London and will add the Scottish borders onto my list of places to visit. Have you done a video on the Gypsies of Kirk Yetholm? All the best!
Well done finding it, I went with my young son last summer and couldn’t drag him down the cliff faces, I think I’ll go myself this summer to find it, looks absolutely awesome.
Good stuff Mark. Great to see your still going. My daughters love your videos. Wish I knew you were looking for the Wallace Cave, I know 2 easyish routes, I could've shown you. Somewhere in the Glen a friend and I also found what can only be described as a river harbour. I have never found it again but it has carvings like those at the Cave.
@@MarkNicol123 aye its got what looks like signs of having a sluice of some kind, a small landing spot hidden by a large rock with a carved set of steps and a hole through said rock.
Awesome vids! People won't see this message though. How it should be seen TBH. These videos have unearthed stuff for a while now. You are highlighting stuff that needs to be told. But not many are listening. I'd like to see you collaborate with someone if you want. I will move to the central lowlands soon. And cant collaborate till then unfortunately. There are lots of others to collaborate with. It may not be super attractive, but it is worth it.
Really nice country Mark, thanks for the history walk, almost looks like some areas of Alberta Canada. Except the stone towers and 1000 year old graveyards.
Good videos Mark, but I'm just curious on the origin or source of 'Blind Harry' writings, in what language, Latin? Did they call them Kirks back then or Chapels? Saint Marys chapel and later become forrest kirk to locals after the reformation?
you can certainly follow Wallace's footsteps south of the border... a number of villages destroyed by him as he marched south down Dere Street to Corbridge. He never managed to take Prudhoe but he went passed it and burned Ryton to the ground. Always makes me wonder why there were so few castles built protecting Dere Street. Otterburn and Elsdon but then nothing until you get to Great Swinburne (no longer there).
He stands in all his glory Proud and tall, Alone How can we know his feelings When now he stands.....A Stone To know him as he really was Is hard for us to do Is he merely legend Let’s step into his shoe Feel what made him fight so hard And care for every life Go his way a moment Imagine all the strife Was he betrayed? We'll never know We know he tried to lead them And all his dreams there ended For his belief in Freedom Strange thoughts as I looked at the statue And feelings I could not explain It was like I was listening to thoughts of an age He was waiting to let go the pain This man was indeed a true hero Though the truth is not easy to find Try if you can to imagine You are he and are deep in his mind Outward looking filled with pride My land within protected Devil dealings come to mind From whence, Loved ones suspected In dead of night they came to fight I did at first rejoice And loudly shouted, calling all But, Only was my voice Looking South I saw them come I could not do an'other For, in a frame within their row Was, She, my loving Mother How could I find the strength to hide And let the row go by It was not me who would betray The anger, in her eye They laughed at glory to return With me as treasured prize They did not know that I would leave Within a priests disguise The deal was made I left with hope But time would come again Sleep did call upon me I woke with cold and pain Betrayal takes on many forms And always I will think How close I came to Freeing All And even on the brink.... Of death, I will remember My mothers frozen eyes How could her heart have know the truth To her came such surprise To see me die and know that she Did all to put me down Making sure for England's sake I'd never wear The Crown
Does anyone know about clan Armstrong/fairbairn before we were reivers? I remember reading that there was a DNA study that showed most Armstrongs can be traced to one man who came from the highlands and that most have Pictish blood. I want to learn more about what we were before our violent span of time. I don’t feel too proud of this, to be quite honest. I want to believe there was a more beautiful side to my ancestors. If it was mainly 1300-1600, surely there’s more to us than reiving.
I really love it when I hear history and the presenter gives reference of who put it in the history books , which books and page the information came from . I have heard that King Robert the Bruce betrayed William Wallace and that King Edward had William Wallace executed but I never see who wrote this in the history originally ? how accurate are these things ?
Completely inaccurate. Bruce never met Wallace and had no involvement in his capture or execution. That is from the Braveheart film, which gets almost none of the details historically correct.
By the way, I've been to the borders, a Brath country I can understand why William fought so hard. It's kind of strange I've walked along some of the streams you see here and the cave too. Like the highlands, the borders are the beating heart of Scotland.
William Wallace should get far more recognition than he actually has, the man lived and fought for the Scottish people and a free Scotland but alas devious Traitors who's want for riches let him and Scotland down miserably, the man died for Scotland, he never sided with the English like Robert the Bruce done.
Up in leith now havny seen ee for awhile guid yin aboot the Wallace in oor back yard.the Ettrick and Jedforest would hae been natural defenses like the Caledonian forest further north !
@@MarkNicol123 aw the best takin two wee strokes since then talking a wee gibberish (nothing new) plenty exercises for my hand and feet still working especially in Langlee.
