A trip to two of my favourite hills surrounding the Tweed Valley. Windlestraw Law & Broad Law won't make any top 10 lists of mountains in Scotland, but join me to find out why they mean so much to me, and what it is that keeps drawing me back to the rounded Southern Uplands.
This podcast is based on blogs first shared on tweedvalleyblogger.com in 2022 and 2023.
Looking for low-cost ways to enjoy the autumnal season? In this episode, Stewart shares a handpicked selection of free activities across the Scottish Borders - from woodland walks to heritage sites with no entry fee. Expect coastal wildlife, quiet corners and a few local secrets stitched in.
Whether you're planning a visit or just want to explore your doorstep with fresh eyes, this episode is your autumnal guide to slow, meaningful travel.
Join me this week at Glentress Forest, the countries busiest Mountain Bike trail centre, as I tell you a little about Arthur Phillips whose 1980's vision kicked off the MTB business here in The Borders. Arthur seems to be a name that's become a little bit forgotten so here is a chance to learn more about this man and his story. You can read more about him on my blog, link below, and if you are interested in more tales of the history of mountain biking in the Tweed Valley then do come along to the Traquair Film Club on the 18th of January where I will deliver a short talk ahead of two films on the night. More details at the link below.
I'm at Neidpath Castle, just outside Peebles this week to tell you about the upcoming Night Tour where you can view this 14th century border tower as the lairds of the past would have - by candlelight! Tickets available on Eventbrite, use the link below:
Neidpath Castle - The Night Tour 20 October
The episode also reflects on the role Neidpath has taken as I have shaped my tour guiding career, and the fruitful relationship between me and the castle. Check out the podcast, and remember to share with friends!
This week I go back to the Victorian Era and the wonderful Innerleithen Alpine Club. We learn about the clubs polymath firs t President and local master builder Robert Mathison, as well as the excursions they undertook and the legacy left behind.
I hope you enjoy this weeks episode and should you wish to learn more, you can find the Principal Excursions of the Alpine Club in the reference section of Innerleithen, Peebles, Selkirk and Hawick libraries, free for all to read.
See you next week on the podcast.
This weeks podcast is based on a blog, originally published on tweedvalleyblogger.com
Two exciting pieces of news from The Tweed Valley Blogger Podcast. Firstly, I am moving the podcast away from a pretty haphazard release schedule to weekly instalments. Still bite sized, still sharing my stories from The Borders but now a regular release every Sunday night. Hear more in the episode.
You will also hear about my Winter Walk, in Innerleithen on Sunday 28 December. Tickets have sold well already for this event and are limited so here is your chance to learn more about the walk, and why it could the the Twixmas tonic you need. You can get tickets using the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1136113970469?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thanks for listening - remember to share this podcast with anyone who is interested.
A bite sized recommendation for three Autumnal walks in the Scottish Borders, paired with a pub for a glass of whatever you fancy afterwards. This podcast is my wee response to our local newspaper missing out The Borders in its own pub walks guide. Let me know what I missed!
Links to Walk Highlands for each walk:
Halterburn circuit & the Schil, nr Kirk Yetholm
Neidpath Castle and the Tweed walk, Peebles
Originally shared as a text blog on tweedvalleyblogger.com
From the sacred silence of Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire, to the small village of Newstead in the Scottish Borders before ending up at Melrose Abbey, this podcast dives into Medieval history, and brings it to the 21st century.
I have been inspired to tell this story by the Newstead Village Community Trust and their first ever Sundials Festival (Saturday 7 September 2025). The community is rightly proud of the heritage of the stonemasons, and I hope this podcast and the village's new Newstead Stonemasons Trail will bring this fascinating piece of Borders heritage to new audiences.
Links:
Dryburgh Abbey Podcast (more on King David I)
Rievaulx Abbey (English Heritage)
For the second in this short series of 'Wilson's New Tales of The Border', I add my own effort to the mythology, paying tribute to 19th century storyteller JM Wilson, with a very 21st century story. This is my version of an unlikely tale which played out by the River Tweed, across a number of years. An escaped domestic goose, who became an unofficial town mascot and source of comfort during the Covid pandemic, in particular for an endearing and unlikely friendship. I am grateful to the goose's owner Glenn for filling is some of the blanks, and the people of Innerleithen whose love for the goose I have tried to put across in this podcast. Do you have a story relating to this goose, or something I have missed or got wrong? Let me know in the comments, lets keep the stories of the goose alive!
A text version can be found on my blog at this link “The Goose and The Horse” — Tweed Valley Blogger | Tour Guide | Scottish Borders
The first episode of this mini series of Wilson's New Tales can be listened to here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ltXvqwHuHRdzpBWkL3wge?si=1zmiEawFR0qp-rstUZHAzA
A new series of blogs and podcasts, ‘Wilsons New Tales of The Border’. Inspired by 19th century storyteller JM Wilson, I bring one of his tales up to date and add my own to the mythology of The Borders…
In this first episode I travel to Elibank Castle, the gaunt ruin which sits romantically above the River Tweed, and re-tell one of Wilson's finest tales - 'The Wife or The Wuddy', better known as Muckle Moothed Meg. This enduring Borders tale of warring families, a kind hearted young lady and an unlikely marriage has been a staple of Borders culture for 400 years. Here, I revisit Wilson's version, adding my own spin. You can also read the story on my blog, link below.
Please subscribe to get first listen to episode two, 'The Goose and The Horse', out in a couple of weeks time.
Scottish Borders Blog — Tweed Valley Blogger | Tour Guide | Scottish Borders
Rounding off Season 1 of Tweed Valley Echoes with a festive trip to Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford. It feels very fitting to be at Abbotsford to round off this season, as Sir Walter has come up in almost all of the previous episodes – such is his influence in The Borders. It is also a chance to join me on a visit the house in all its Christmas finery, they do a great job of recreating the 1820’s at Abbotsford and have a full programme of events right up until early January – you’ll have a great day if you can make it along this season.
Links below to the Abbotsford Trust’s website so you can see what they have on, as well as my Ko-Fi page which is where you can donate to help me with the costs of bringing you these podcasts.
Tweed Valley Echoes will return in 2025, with Wilson’s New Tales of the Borders. Seasons Greetings to you all
Tweed Valley Echoes is a series of podcasts brought to you by Stewart Wilson (www.tweedvalleyblogger.com), a Scottish Borders based tour guide and blogger. Tweed Valley Echoes aims to share Stewart’s passion for The Borders with you, in a series of immersive podcasts.
Join me (Tweed Valley Blogger) on a journey to Berwick Upon Tweed, England's most northerly town. After stopping at Allanton Inn in Scotland's Berwickshire, I delve into the long and often violent history of Berwick, a history which saw it move between Scotland and England a dozen times. I consider the impact this has made on Berwick and the people of the town, who have a strong local identity. Berwick today is great for shopping, has a lively arts scene and makes for one of the best locations in the UK for a short break, and in the podcast my love for the town comes across. Links below to some of the places discussed in the episode - enjoy!
Join me (Tweed Valley Blogger) on a walk into the past at the charming Borders village of Ettrickbridge. I go in search of stories of Auld Wat Scott of Harden, ancestor of Sir Walter Scott and an infamous Border Reiver. I explore the village and hike out to Scott's old stronghold, Kirkhope Tower, now lovingly restored as a private residence. Along the way I discuss Scott's story, and the lawless times he lived in, as well as bringing it bang up to date with the village's award winning pub, The Cross Keys Inn. Join me to learn more about this fascinating period in Borders history.
Episode Four of Tweed Valley Echoes was recorded at Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve. The reserve is managed by The National Trust for Scotland and I hope you enjoy joining me to explore some of the quieter sections of the reserve...
The Grey Mare's Tail is easily found on the A708 road between Moffat and Selkirk - one of the finest routes through The Southern Uplands. Enjoy the episode
Links:
Ko-Fi Donations (Includes photo of me, Clare Balding and goose...)
Welcome to Episode Three of Tweed Valley Echoes, and this week we visit Dryburgh Abbey, one of the four mighty, medieval abbeys of The Scottish Borders. Join me as I give my views on why this region of Britain has such a close concentration of these abbeys and dive into the life of the man credited with bringing them here - King David I of Scotland. I also touch on Sir Walter Scott and Earl Haig, both buried in this peaceful spot. The Abbey is managed for the nation by Historic Environment Scotland and is available to visit all year round. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly so please do visit and let me know what you make of it! Links below to my Ko-Fi page where you can support me to make more podcasts, as well as information from HES on Dryburgh Abbey.
Episode Two of Tweed Valley Echoes from Tweed Valley Blogger, released along with Episode One to get the series off to a bang! Join me in one of my favourite places to learn more about The Borders largest loch, and the special place it has in my heart. We touch on long forgotten stories, long distance footpaths and long term management of this special place. Enjoy!
Episode One of Tweed Valley Echoes from Tweed Valley Blogger finds me at Old Gala House in Galashiels. Find out why I chose this place to kick off this podcast series, which aims to give you new insights into The Scottish Borders. I aim to share with you why I think The Borders is special and you should visit, or if you are local to show you that there may be more to The Borders than you think... Enjoy.
Links:
Old Gala House - Our Museums - Live Borders
Gala – The Clan Pringle Association
Welcome to this quick preview for Tweed Valley Echoes, the brand new podcast from Tweed Valley Blogger.
Subscribe now for this exciting new series of podcasts, celebrating The Scottish Borders and all it has to offer.