Questions before you set off?

Tours can be arranged through the contact form on this website or, when you are using a mobile phone, through the WhatsApp button. Start by sharing your preferred dates, group size and the story or places that interest you. Mark will then discuss the route and practical arrangements with you.

Payment is made by bank transfer. Once Mark has discussed and agreed the route, date and plans with you, the bank-transfer details will be provided in the confirmation of those plans. Please do not send payment until you have received those details.

A provisional conversation or agreed plan is not the same as a confirmed booking. Your booking is confirmed only when payment has been received and a confirmation email has been sent to you. Please wait for that confirmation before treating the date as final.

For a confirmed booking, cancellation 14 or more calendar days before the scheduled start time receives a full refund. Cancellation 7 to 13 calendar days beforehand receives a 50% refund. Less than 7 calendar days beforehand, or a no-show, will normally not be refundable. If we can rebook the date, or if circumstances such as serious illness, bereavement or major travel disruption affect your plans, please contact us promptly and we will consider the options reasonably. Refunds are normally returned by bank transfer within 14 days of being agreed. Any different arrangement will be recorded in your booking confirmation; please read the full cancellation wording in the Terms.

If Mark has to cancel before the tour starts because of illness, severe weather, unsafe conditions, vehicle problems or a site closure, you can choose an alternative date where available or receive a full refund of the tour payment. If a day has already started but cannot safely continue, a fair rearrangement or partial refund will be discussed. Independent travel and accommodation costs are not normally covered, which is why suitable cancellation insurance is recommended.

Yes. Mark is available to provide talks for societies and community groups interested in the history of the Borders Region. Talks draw on his research, filming and passion for unknown and forgotten stories, and can be discussed around the interests of your audience. Visit the Group Speaking page or use the contact form to ask about arranging a talk.

Tours are provided in English. Mark also speaks with a native Scots and Borders dialect, and may use local words or expressions that are especially relevant to the history and places being discussed. He will always explain a word, phrase or subject if it is unfamiliar, and questions are very welcome.

Many routes include outdoor walking across fields, muddy ground, uneven terrain and steep climbs, sometimes without a laid-out path. Bring sturdy, comfortable footwear and weather-ready layers. Scottish weather can move from sunshine to rain and wind quickly, so waterproof clothing is sensible even when the forecast looks kind. A small day-pack is usually the most practical form of luggage.

The walking varies by tour and site. Some set routes may involve walks of around two miles or more, including uneven or muddy ground and slopes. If you need a shorter, gentler or vehicle-led day, say so before booking. A bespoke sightseeing route or a town-based tour may be possible, although it will limit the type of sites that can be visited.

Often, yes, but this must be discussed before booking. Please share any mobility requirements, walking limits, access needs or mobility aids in advance so Mark can explain what is realistic. The full access information is on the Accessibility page, and each site may have different ground, parking and facility arrangements.

Suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Guests should make sure their policy reflects the nature of their planned visit, including outdoor walking and any personal medical or mobility considerations.

Luggage is restricted to a minimum, ideally a small rucksack or day-pack. It can be carried free of charge, but it is carried at the passenger’s own risk. Your luggage should be sturdy and waterproof, and travellers must be able to lift their own luggage into and out of the vehicle.

Children are welcome where the route is suitable, but a suitable child seat must be provided in accordance with UK child car-seat requirements. Please mention the child’s age, height and weight when enquiring so the vehicle arrangements can be discussed properly.

A typical day tour lasts between five and eight hours. The exact length is flexible and depends on the route, travel distances, opening times, walking conditions and how much time you want to spend at each place. The aim is to make the most of your day rather than rush from one stop to the next.

Mark will aim to include a comfort stop approximately every one and a half hours where the route allows. If you need a stop at another time, please ask. A suitable location can usually be found, although facilities are provided by third-party public or private owners and their accessibility cannot always be guaranteed.

Yes. The route will include opportunities to stop for photographs, views and the small details that make a place memorable. If a particular viewpoint, building or landscape matters to you, mention it when arranging the day so it can be considered alongside the historical route.

Often. Many of the most interesting Border stories are found in rolling countryside, quiet churchyards, remote valleys and lesser-known ruins. This can mean limited facilities, uneven ground and little or no mobile reception. Reception varies from site to site, so do not rely on a continuous signal throughout the day.

Admission fees to attractions are not included in the tour price unless specifically stated in your booking arrangements. Many places accept cash and card, but carrying a small amount of pocket money is advisable, particularly when visiting smaller or remote attractions.

The advertised tour is a starting point rather than a script. Mark will discuss the route with you, and the pace can respond to your interests, the weather, access conditions and the time available. A site may need to be changed if access, safety or opening arrangements make it unsuitable on the day.

Mark is passionate, informative and happy to spend time answering questions around the subject that interests you. His approach comes from years of researching, filming and exploring the Scottish Borders. To get a feel for his personality before travelling, you can explore the 300 researched videos and wider stories across the Discover Scottish Borders website, blog and social-media channels.

No. Guests must be comfortable entering and leaving the vehicle independently or with help from their own travelling companion. Mark cannot lift or physically assist passengers, and he cannot provide mobility assistance at sites. Please read the Accessibility page before booking and raise any concerns in advance.

Tips are not expected, and Mark is not looking to pressure anyone for extra money. If you feel the tour exceeded your expectations and you would like to offer a discretionary bonus, it will be put towards making and producing more Discover Scottish Borders video content.

Yes. If you decide after the day that you would like to offer a discretionary thank-you, please use the contact form to ask for the current bank-transfer details. They are provided privately rather than published on the website.

Absolutely. Mark would love to see your photographs. You are welcome to share them through the social-media links at the bottom of the site or use the contact form to tell us where to send them. Please say clearly whether you are happy for Discover Scottish Borders to share the photographs on its websites or social-media channels.

Use the contact form to send feedback or to offer a review for consideration on the website. Honest feedback helps Mark improve the experience and helps future visitors understand what a tour through the Borderlands is really like.

The 300 researched videos and wider heritage work are available through Mark’s Discover Scottish Borders website, blog and social-media channels. They are a good way to explore the region before your visit and get a genuine sense of Mark’s presentation style, interests and personality.