Borders Bletherings

History EN ↓ 98 episodes

Everyone knows the history of Scotland: the romance of the highlands with Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Northern Isles with their Pictish and Viking heritage, Dundee with Jute and Jam, Glasgow and its shipyards and Edinburgh and the New Town Enlightenment. But what of the Borders? A published historian and archivist, Mary, and her friend, Doug, explore the less well-trodden paths of Scottish history and folklore as they shine a light on some of the best kept secrets of times past and present in the Scottish Borders. Join them as they chat and natter about the chequered history of the Borders regi...

Author

Borders Bletherings

Episodes

A History of Witches 05.07.2026 59:38

A history of Scottish witches - Mary and Doug blether about the two men instrumental in the persecution of witches in the 17th century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wars of Independence 08.06.2026 48:48

Join Mary and Doug as they discuss the Scottish Wars of Independence and how it affected the Scottish Borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Balliol 10.05.2026 41:44

Join Mary and Doug as they blether about how his rule affected the Scottish Borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great Depression 12.04.2026 30:24

Mary and Doug blether about the Great Depression and how it affected the Scottish Borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Somerled 09.03.2026 46:25

Mary and Doug discuss the 12th century Lord of the Isles and how his defeat at the battle of Renfrew affected the Scottish Borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willie Scott, the Border Shepherd 15.02.2026 38:54

Mary and Doug are joined by folk musician Tom Bonnar to discuss the life and work of Willie Scott the Border Shepherd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Murder at the Bishop's Palace 12.01.2026 35:18

Mary and Doug discuss when the waters of the Gala ran red with the blood of the men of Wedale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Somerville 15.12.2025 39:02

Mary and Doug blether about the amazing life of Mary Somerville the scientist, mathematician, polymath and the Rose of Jedburgh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gladstone 02.12.2025 43:40

Doug and Mary discuss the first modern political campaign and why it took place in Stow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manderston 01.11.2025 40:14

Mary and Doug blether about the case of Lady Manderston of Duns - a witch? or a wicked wife? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Clark 26.10.2025 34:13

Mary and Doug blether about Jim Clark the racing driver champion from Duns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicknames 13.10.2025 36:04

Join Mary and Doug as they blether about some of the nicknames that Border towns have Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duns Scotus 06.09.2025 39:36

Johannes Duns - the subtle doctor. Join Mary and Doug as they discuss the genius of Johannes Duns Scotus the Fransiscan Friar from Berwickshire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oliver cromwell 17.08.2025 38:08

Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of Scotland. Benevolent ruler or tyrannical despot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

St Ronan 20.07.2025 32:31

Join Mary and Doug as they discover what St Ronan was up to when he cleiked the Devil in Innerleithen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Scottish folk scene 24.06.2025 45:10

Join Mary and Doug along with Tom Bonnar the folk singer as they blether about the revival of the Scottish folk scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coulter's Candy 01.06.2025 34:17

Ally bally bee - Mary and Doug blether about Coulter's Candy assisted by folk singer Tom Bonnar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vikings part 2 12.05.2025 40:10

Doug and Mary go on another journey following the Vikings as they travelled from Norway to the Black Sea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vikings part 1 21.04.2025 41:20

The men from the North - a blether about the Vikings and their effect on the Scottish Borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

St Suthbert 28.03.2025 33:11

Join Mary and Doug as they discover the life of the Celtic saint. of old Melrose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Border Fields 04.03.2025 34:48

Mary and Doug blether about the names of fields of the Scottish Borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Charlies 17.02.2025 1:05:22

class='odd'Mary and Doug finish their Stewart odyssey with Charles I and Bonnie Prince Charlie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Great Storm of 1953 08.02.2025 42:12

Mary and Doug blether about the Great Storm of 1953 and its devastating effects on the Borders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary and James 19.01.2025 47:14

Mary and Doug take another look at the Stewarts blethering about Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bite-sized 05.01.2025 21:30

A borders Bletherings bitesized ‘Beware the redcaps, shellycoats and shellybacks.' Mary and Doub blether about some mythical creatures of the Borders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices