I grew up and went to school in the Borders and learnt none of the stuff featured in your videos, this is what we should have been taught instead of iffy battles about stealing flags. All these amazing places right on my doorstep and yet invisible to me. I know your videos are intended to get more tourists in to the borders but the locals can learn loads from you too. Excellent stuff again Mark.
I guess Im randomly asking but does anybody know a method to get back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot my account password. I would love any tips you can give me.
@Emiliano Chaim Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Parts of a Villa from the Antonine wall still exist in Strathclyde Park in Lanarkshire, the Romans were a lot more active in Scotland than we like to admit. Rumour has it that whenever the 9th suffered losses, they were simply topped up from elsewhere to preserve the reputation of the Legion, so it's no big surprise they show up in stories after their wee visit to Caledonia.
I believe the 9th legion has now had recorded presence in Hispania or Gaul (fail to remember) after the dates they were stationed in Brittania. It was most likely disbanded into reformed Legions following upheavals or retired is the leading theory I believe
Awesome...just sitting down for a wee watch.. love the channel.. It's impressive to see some of the concentric Ditches still there .. Now a farm and some houses, sitting on a Roman fort, Arthur's Fortress..and our last Bastian against the Saxons, jutes and angles.....30 miles north of the Wall...!.!.! Love this....
The opening shot is brilliant, well done on capturing that. I hope Scottish Tourism is funding you in someway. Your first Mini Documentaries provided places of interest to visit. Since then you have created quite a patchwork of must visit sites. A little bit tragic that post with the A4 sheet pinned to it indicating Bremenium. Im sure history buffs could learn a great deal from you in terms of enthusiasm, in the field exploration. Ive always thought exploring the past is just as important as exploring the future. Great stuff and keep them coming.
johnboy3165 cheers John. Unfortunately nobody is funding me in any way, in fact I can’t even afford a new camera which I badly need☹️ Looks like English Heritage are begining to take an interest in Bremenium so hopefully we should see some info up there soon. Cheers for watching!!!
@@MarkNicol123 , I'll tell you what I think you should do. You ask for a bit of coin. Nobody begrudges someone asking for a couple of pound from their subscribers if they have enjoyed the product produced. You're videos have brought many people enjoyment and knowledge. I know it may seem crass but in order to continue producing, new equipment is required. Put it out there , see if she flies, no harm in asking. A go fund me page etc.....
I have walked that wall in every season.I love Romano Celtic history. It is my history and I'll not hand it over to anyone. These are my people for better, or worst. I have the ninth imprinted on my soul. I love Romano Celtic Britania. My blood, my soul for better, or worst. I will always love my people. I will always love my people above all else.
Outstanding video...wonderful scenery and text! I can't imagine what an undertaking it must have been to build these stone walls and structures so long ago...in what looks like remote areas!!! They're truly amazing!! Well done!!
Your videos are so enjoyable and smartly made. Great history is and beautiful landscapes. So much historic lost to popular sites . Your sites you explore are so beautiful and interesting. Thx for a great video.
As to be expected ........ great stuff Mark. In my car rallying days I've been past that farm on many an occasion. I'll take more notice from now on. Thanks
Each of your videos I watch is better than the last. Well done. Can't wait to get back. I've driven just by here several times, on my drive from the ferry at Newcastle to Hawick and Bonchester Bridge. How do I ask permission to visit?
pastyhead80 loads of places on Hadrians Wall (Housesteads Fort, Vindolanda, Sycamore Gap). Lindisfarne / Holy Island is good but you need to time the tide being out, Bamburgh Castle u could do same day as Holy Island, there are loads of waterfalls, Norham castle ( the most dangerous place in England) and Flodden Battle site. There’s tons to see, you won’t be bored!
Hats off to you Sir. Fantastic video and superb video and superb story telling. You have a brilliant knack for bringing history to life. I have been a subscriber for some time now and all I can say is that if I can do 1/10th of what you do to promote the beauty and history of our area with my little channel then I’ll be chuffed to bits. Keep doing what you do Brother. Namaste 🙏🏻
I enjoyed this, but l don't buy into the Romans being so worried they had to build a wall 73 miles long which took six years. Think about it; what were the ferocious Picts - or whoever - doing whilst the building took place? My guess is that they may have even helped for some form of payment. Another reason to build such a wall is to keep a stationary army occupied. And let's remember, Hadrian's wall had only been completed 19 years when the Romans upped sticks, marched 100 miles further north and built another one; the Antonine Wall.
Mark, as always your videos are awesome, educational, and entertaining. I was wondering what you could dig up on Clan Bell from the Dumfrieshire area of the borders, particularly Chief William "Red Cloak" Bell. It was said that he was brother-in-law to Kinmont Willie Armstrong and took part in Kinmont Willie's rescue.
Clinton Bell would need to look into that Clinton. Know a few Bell clan members in USA from on here, think there is some sort of worldwide Bell gathering in Dumfries this summer.
Scots were not present in Scotland when the Wall was built - they came from Ireland in 4/5 th centuries. Scotland was completely conquered by Agricola in 70s AD and there were Roman military forts and roads all over Scotland. The Wall was a military control zone, by which the Picts could be excluded from the benefits of movemeht and trade if they broke their treaties. They were the last to want a national border at the Wall.
There was a more northerly wall the Antonine wall made of turf as were many Roman forts initially unless stone was to hand. The use of so many ditches on one slope was because it was a cheap way of slowing down your attackers while keeping them within range and vision. The later farmers habitually robbed out military structures of all ages for materials especially upon the Borders. Who was going to gainsay a reiver family like the Armstrong’s? Pity so much footage of Sycamore Gap when more interesting ground could have been shown and explained.
@@MarkNicol123 My pleasure. Most professionally done, looks like you have good equipment, and I like to see a person enjoy what they are doing. Yes, do consider a DVD, what you are doing is deeply needed. Not only is is relevant in an educational sense, its very timely as I predict many more will be plugging into our shared ancestral past. Your a legend man.
Most Roman academics firmly believe Hadrian’s wall was built to occupy the soldiers daily lives as there’s literally no proof of fighting on a noticeable scale anywhere in Scotland…..and a bored soldier would cause indiscipline within the ranks.
Quite remarkable-when I next fish Crag Loch (The only Loch in England-near Poplar Gap) I will think of this Man's a genius Give him a BBC Series for Pity's sake! Tom Morgan Jones
Another great story with indepth research well done. I just learned of a furry sock you can put on your microphone to muffle the wind, It's called a "Dead Cat" " Never behind " *** say my effin name, Douglas arr
Robert Koontz cheers Robert! I’ll look that mic sock up, thanks. I do have a furry muffle on my mic, but some of the places I go the wind is perpetual and very strong.
Roma il più grandioso e glorioso Impero della storia; Roma = CIVILIZZAZIONE, la grandezza, la potenza, la magnificenza e la GLORIA DI ROMA EST AETERNA, ROMA INVICTA ET LUX MUNDI 💪💯
This man deserves financial support, I'll do what I can but he deserves the support from the Ulster Scots of America. Keep it coming Mark your work is not in vain. We the people of America will support and still cry and bleed for our brothers and sisters.
The Ulster Scots,the remnants of the Scottish Borderers, - the last of the free,how many of the American presidents carry our blood, they came, they saw,and then run away.!
Impressive finds and story telling, but "They could never defeat the wild men of Scotland"? Alternatively, they couldn't find a way to extract enough value out of Caledonia to make it worth the investment and occupation costs. The Romans gave it a go (the Antonine Wall), but I would suggest that given the kleptomania nature the Roman empire, and the need for appointed officials and governors to spend their own money on infrastructure, there was little incentive to occupy Caledonia unless Rome itself was subsidizing it. If there wasn't sufficient trade to tax, it would have been a fools errand to take an appointment there. It was, a region with no trade links to the wider world that the Romans couldn't already access through their existing holdings, and they could control the trade coming south into the Empire via Hadrian's wall and levy taxes on it. Why build Bremenium fort there? Control of both the Roman road south to York (administrative center of Roman Britain), and east to Berwick on Tweed and forts in between. It also commands the Rive Rede, which flows into the North Tyne River, which could have provided an alternative trade/smuggling route into/out of the Roman area of control. Why fortify it so heavily? The same reason all forts and later castles were built: it is easier for a smaller garrison to hold and defend it against any larger force long enough for additional forces to be brought up.
The Romans fought a battle with the tribe's of Scotland at a place called Mons Graupus,well North East of Antonines Wall let alone Hadrians. The Romans won this battle in which the tribes had many casualties the Romans fewer, despite being outnumbered. It is also recorded by not a few that the Romans comitted not one Legion to this battle. The Roman auxiliary troops carrying the day for them. The auxiliarys mentioned are Battaglians(modern Netherlands) and the Germanicus, self explanitory in origin one would have thought. On Antonines Wall many years ago,Glasgow University found evidence of Syrian Mounted Archers serving in a Fort at Dullater.(The Verduli). The EEC seems to be struggling to build a Euro Army,the armies of Ancient Rome would appear to have been truly international.
An interesting video, but the 9th legion being wiped out in Scotland is pure fiction. Their last known location was at Nijmegen (Netherlands) c. AD 120. Although, the 9th Legion was almost wiped out at the Battle of Camulodunum, also known as the Massacre of the Ninth Legion by the Iceni and their allies. It is believed 80% of the legion were killed.
I find the breathless, overly-dramatic, hand-waving presentational style detracts from the interesting history. in fact it ruined it for me and i couldn't bring myself to watch it, which was a shame. did someone once tell you that you ought to be an actor? They were wrong each to his own, of course .........................
What a load of crap from no fact at all. If hed lifted hes overdramatic arms just one more time hed lift off himself and wouldent have needed to invest in that drone,,,
I grew up and went to school in the Borders and learnt none of the stuff featured in your videos, this is what we should have been taught instead of iffy battles about stealing flags. All these amazing places right on my doorstep and yet invisible to me. I know your videos are intended to get more tourists in to the borders but the locals can learn loads from you too. Excellent stuff again Mark.
Obi don thanks man!!
I can hardly believe some of the things I uncover too!!
Interesting to hear, it's often the way in terms of local history.
I guess Im randomly asking but does anybody know a method to get back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot my account password. I would love any tips you can give me.
@Jace Walker Instablaster =)
@Emiliano Chaim Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Parts of a Villa from the Antonine wall still exist in Strathclyde Park in Lanarkshire, the Romans were a lot more active in Scotland than we like to admit.
Rumour has it that whenever the 9th suffered losses, they were simply topped up from elsewhere to preserve the reputation of the Legion, so it's no big surprise they show up in stories after their wee visit to Caledonia.
Great video,mark
I believe the 9th legion has now had recorded presence in Hispania or Gaul (fail to remember) after the dates they were stationed in Brittania. It was most likely disbanded into reformed Legions following upheavals or retired is the leading theory I believe
"I'm here to get my posting Sir"... LOL classic!! another great vid Mark, well done
C F cheers😂😂😂
Awesome...just sitting down for a wee watch.. love the channel..
It's impressive to see some of the concentric Ditches still there ..
Now a farm and some houses, sitting on a Roman fort, Arthur's Fortress..and our last Bastian against the Saxons, jutes and angles.....30 miles north of the Wall...!.!.! Love this....
Jeff Moore cheers Jeff
Look up my Facebook page Discover Scottish Borders and you can message me on there.
I'm here in Texas, USA... enjoying your videos! Keep it up!!!
Trey Hocker cheers Trey!😁
The opening shot is brilliant, well done on capturing that. I hope Scottish Tourism is funding you in someway. Your first Mini Documentaries provided places of interest to visit. Since then you have created quite a patchwork of must visit sites. A little bit tragic that post with the A4 sheet pinned to it indicating Bremenium. Im sure history buffs could learn a great deal from you in terms of enthusiasm, in the field exploration. Ive always thought exploring the past is just as important as exploring the future. Great stuff and keep them coming.
johnboy3165 cheers John.
Unfortunately nobody is funding me in any way, in fact I can’t even afford a new camera which I badly need☹️
Looks like English Heritage are begining to take an interest in Bremenium so hopefully we should see some info up there soon.
Cheers for watching!!!
@@MarkNicol123 , I'll tell you what I think you should do. You ask for a bit of coin. Nobody begrudges someone asking for a couple of pound from their subscribers if they have enjoyed the product produced. You're videos have brought many people enjoyment and knowledge. I know it may seem crass but in order to continue producing, new equipment is required. Put it out there , see if she flies, no harm in asking. A go fund me page etc.....
@@MarkNicol123 English Heritage,lol Mark
I love this ' episode ' - fabulous scenery :)
Joolz Brutnell cheers Joolz!!
I have walked that wall in every season.I love Romano Celtic history. It is my history and I'll not hand it over to anyone. These are my people for better, or worst. I have the ninth imprinted on my soul. I love Romano Celtic Britania. My blood, my soul for better, or worst. I will always love my people. I will always love my people above all else.
Good Norman name there, Demontford!
Who you talking about?
another great video mark , a story with drama added , you truly must be a descendant of thomas the rhymer, keep them coming, cheers ,.
Steve Armstrong ha ha cheers Steve.
You never know I live just down the road from Rhymers tower.😆😆
@@MarkNicol123 the apple never falls far from the tree , mark
Outstanding video...wonderful scenery and text! I can't imagine what an undertaking it must have been to build these stone walls and structures so long ago...in what looks like remote areas!!! They're truly amazing!! Well done!!
Sundown thank you.
Yes the whole area around Hadrians Wall is breathtaking, so much history.
Your videos are so enjoyable and smartly made. Great history is and beautiful landscapes. So much historic lost to popular sites . Your sites you explore are so beautiful and interesting. Thx for a great video.
Pamela Poore no problem Pamela!
Thanks for watching😁😁
Such a great video, thank you for sharing! It's much appreciated. Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N
Sunshine&SilverArrow thanks as slways😁😁😁
Great video Mark, thank you.
Another great video Mark, thanks and keep them coming.
Peter Bell cheers Peter!
As to be expected ........ great stuff Mark. In my car rallying days I've been past that farm on many an occasion. I'll take more notice from now on. Thanks
tricky dicky Cheers Tricky, aye it just sits right behind the cafe and most people are unaware of it.
Great video 😍 Thank you Mark !
sophie laurencich no worries Sophie, thanks for watching!!
Each of your videos I watch is better than the last. Well done. Can't wait to get back. I've driven just by here several times, on my drive from the ferry at Newcastle to Hawick and Bonchester Bridge. How do I ask permission to visit?
inyobill cheers😁
You can just walk up to it, it’s a public road.
Have a coffee in the cafe and they’ll tell you best way up.
Thanks for sharing buddy, were heading up to Northumberland in September and looking for different sights to visit, got any recommendations?
pastyhead80 loads of places on Hadrians Wall (Housesteads Fort, Vindolanda, Sycamore Gap). Lindisfarne / Holy Island is good but you need to time the tide being out, Bamburgh Castle u could do same day as Holy Island, there are loads of waterfalls, Norham castle ( the most dangerous place in England) and Flodden Battle site.
There’s tons to see, you won’t be bored!
Stirring stuff Mark. The landscape keeps its secrets, but it never forgets. Interesting that the area is still in military use.
tracey spark cheers Anne.
Never had the current military stuff in my plan for the film was lucky to see that.
good lord it's like you walked into a dream world. Incredible place.
I must have missed this video! Great stuff. Seeing the aerial shot at the end of the farm built on the roman Fort was epic 👍
Hats off to you Sir. Fantastic video and superb video and superb story telling. You have a brilliant knack for bringing history to life. I have been a subscriber for some time now and all I can say is that if I can do 1/10th of what you do to promote the beauty and history of our area with my little channel then I’ll be chuffed to bits. Keep doing what you do Brother. Namaste 🙏🏻
Most heavily fortified Roman Fort....yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssss
EmperorJ123 ha ha, extremely heavily fortified!!
I enjoyed this, but l don't buy into the Romans being so worried they had to build a wall 73 miles long which took six years. Think about it; what were the ferocious Picts - or whoever - doing whilst the building took place? My guess is that they may have even helped for some form of payment. Another reason to build such a wall is to keep a stationary army occupied. And let's remember, Hadrian's wall had only been completed 19 years when the Romans upped sticks, marched 100 miles further north and built another one; the Antonine Wall.
Fantastic
Mark, as always your videos are awesome, educational, and entertaining. I was wondering what you could dig up on Clan Bell from the Dumfrieshire area of the borders, particularly Chief William "Red Cloak" Bell. It was said that he was brother-in-law to Kinmont Willie Armstrong and took part in Kinmont Willie's rescue.
Clinton Bell would need to look into that Clinton. Know a few Bell clan members in USA from on here, think there is some sort of worldwide Bell gathering in Dumfries this summer.
Scots were not present in Scotland when the Wall was built - they came from Ireland in 4/5 th centuries. Scotland was completely conquered by Agricola in 70s AD and there were Roman military forts and roads all over Scotland. The Wall was a military control zone, by which the Picts could be excluded from the benefits of movemeht and trade if they broke their treaties. They were the last to want a national border at the Wall.
Bollocks
Great video. You can see that notch in the wall on Google maps.
Daniel Irvin cheers!
It’s a great spot, even in a thick fog.
There was a more northerly wall the Antonine wall made of turf as were many Roman forts initially unless stone was to hand. The use of so many ditches on one slope was because it was a cheap way of slowing down your attackers while keeping them within range and vision. The later farmers habitually robbed out military structures of all ages for materials especially upon the Borders. Who was going to gainsay a reiver family like the Armstrong’s? Pity so much footage of Sycamore Gap when more interesting ground could have been shown and explained.
Another amazing venue! By the way Mark, I like the beard... You need to put all of these on one DVD sometime, they are all champion!!!!!!
Kris Carmichael often thought about a DVD, maybe this year.
Cheers for watching again Kris!!
@@MarkNicol123 My pleasure. Most professionally done, looks like you have good equipment, and I like to see a person enjoy what they are doing. Yes, do consider a DVD, what you are doing is deeply needed. Not only is is relevant in an educational sense, its very timely as I predict many more will be plugging into our shared ancestral past. Your a legend man.
Cheers Kris!!
Hope you’re right!!
Loving your music BTW.....a collaboration one day maybe .....one day.
Most Roman academics firmly believe Hadrian’s wall was built to occupy the soldiers daily lives as there’s literally no proof of fighting on a noticeable scale anywhere in Scotland…..and a bored soldier would cause indiscipline within the ranks.
Very informative and interesting video , I wonder if the farm on the Fort has every been excavated .
Quite remarkable-when I next fish Crag Loch (The only Loch in England-near Poplar Gap) I will think of this
Man's a genius
Give him a BBC Series for Pity's sake!
Tom Morgan Jones
Tom Jones cheers Tom!!
Wish everyone thought like you😁
Another great story with indepth research well done. I just learned of a furry sock you can put on your microphone to muffle the wind, It's called a "Dead Cat" " Never behind " *** say my effin name, Douglas arr
Robert Koontz cheers Robert!
I’ll look that mic sock up, thanks. I do have a furry muffle on my mic, but some of the places I go the wind is perpetual and very strong.
@@MarkNicol123 Oh I see, I lived on the plains of Colorado @ 8000' Maybe Narrate It.? Great Work minus the noise. keepontruckin !
The glory that was once ROME..
Roma il più grandioso e glorioso Impero della storia; Roma = CIVILIZZAZIONE, la grandezza, la potenza, la magnificenza e la GLORIA DI ROMA EST AETERNA, ROMA INVICTA ET LUX MUNDI 💪💯
This man deserves financial support, I'll do what I can but he deserves the support from the Ulster Scots of America. Keep it coming Mark your work is not in vain. We the people of America will support and still cry and bleed for our brothers and sisters.
Argonaut cheers again man!!!
The Ulster Scots,the remnants of the Scottish Borderers, - the last of the free,how many of the American presidents carry our blood, they came, they saw,and then run away.!
the chief of the briganti tribe was a bloke called tommy douglas, check it out, another good vid mark
Great jist great viewing 👍
production quality is on the up
how come they always play creepy music when there are romans around?
That is a shame such an important historic site is treated so shabbily.
Impressive finds and story telling, but "They could never defeat the wild men of Scotland"? Alternatively, they couldn't find a way to extract enough value out of Caledonia to make it worth the investment and occupation costs.
The Romans gave it a go (the Antonine Wall), but I would suggest that given the kleptomania nature the Roman empire, and the need for appointed officials and governors to spend their own money on infrastructure, there was little incentive to occupy Caledonia unless Rome itself was subsidizing it. If there wasn't sufficient trade to tax, it would have been a fools errand to take an appointment there. It was, a region with no trade links to the wider world that the Romans couldn't already access through their existing holdings, and they could control the trade coming south into the Empire via Hadrian's wall and levy taxes on it.
Why build Bremenium fort there? Control of both the Roman road south to York (administrative center of Roman Britain), and east to Berwick on Tweed and forts in between. It also commands the Rive Rede, which flows into the North Tyne River, which could have provided an alternative trade/smuggling route into/out of the Roman area of control.
Why fortify it so heavily? The same reason all forts and later castles were built: it is easier for a smaller garrison to hold and defend it against any larger force long enough for additional forces to be brought up.
Good points that gives credence to the idea that the area farther north formed part of the 'cold, wet, rocky bits that nobody wants'
The Romans fought a battle with the tribe's of Scotland at a place called Mons Graupus,well North East of Antonines Wall let alone Hadrians. The Romans won this battle in which the tribes had many casualties the Romans fewer, despite being outnumbered. It is also recorded by not a few that the Romans comitted not one Legion to this battle. The Roman auxiliary troops carrying the day for them. The auxiliarys mentioned are Battaglians(modern Netherlands) and the Germanicus, self explanitory in origin one would have thought.
On Antonines Wall many years ago,Glasgow University found evidence of Syrian Mounted Archers serving in a Fort at Dullater.(The Verduli). The EEC seems to be struggling to build a Euro Army,the armies of Ancient Rome would appear to have been truly international.
It was probably the weather, I know it turned us off Scotland 😂
Yaaaaaaaaaaasssssss mate
Scottish Digger 😆😆😆
Cheers man!!
An interesting video, but the 9th legion being wiped out in Scotland is pure fiction. Their last known location was at Nijmegen (Netherlands) c. AD 120. Although, the 9th Legion was almost wiped out at the Battle of Camulodunum, also known as the Massacre of the Ninth Legion by the Iceni and their allies. It is believed 80% of the legion were killed.
I find the breathless, overly-dramatic, hand-waving presentational style detracts from the interesting history. in fact it ruined it for me and i couldn't bring myself to watch it, which was a shame.
did someone once tell you that you ought to be an actor?
They were wrong
each to his own, of course .........................
Glad you found the history interesting even though you didn’t watch it😂
I can confirm that NO ONE has ever told me I should be an actor😆
I have a vewy good fwiend in wome
What a load of crap from no fact at all. If hed lifted hes overdramatic arms just one more time hed lift off himself and wouldent have needed to invest in that drone,,,
Titless.
Boom tish / now what does that mean really. 🤷🏻♀️.
Boom tish next time!!
Katie Moyer nothing to worry about.
Shuv yer British union alba shaor 🏴