The unknown and forgotten
Explore the overlooked places, local clues and stories that can disappear from the usual account of Border history.
Group speaking
Bring the Borders story to your group.
Mark Nicol is available to provide talks for societies and community groups who are interested in the history of the Borders Region. His talks combine research, film-making and a real passion for the stories that are still waiting to be noticed.
A story-led evening
The Borders has more stories than a single itinerary can hold.
Alongside guiding visitors through the region, Mark is also available to provide talks for societies and community groups. He brings the same curiosity to a group audience that he brings to a filming day: looking for the detail that opens up a bigger story, then placing it in the landscape and the lives of the people connected to it.
Mark has had a passion for the Scottish Borders all his life. Since 2012, he has developed Discover Scottish Borders into an independent history, heritage and storytelling platform spanning a website, blog, video archive and social-media presence. It now includes 300 researched videos about the Borderlands, taking him from familiar historical accounts to lesser-known sites, local folklore and the clues that can be found in old roads, ruined buildings and family names.
A talk can be shaped around the interests of your group, with room for questions and conversation. The aim is to inform, entertain and keep the Borders spirit alive.
What a talk can explore
History with a human voice and a sense of place.
Every group has its own interests. These themes are useful starting points, but Mark is happy to discuss the subject that would mean most to your audience.
The Borderlands in context
Bring the region’s landscape, families, towers, traditions and frontier stories together in a way that is easy to follow and enjoy.
From research to film
Hear how Mark follows tips, leads, book passages and common historical stories to build Discover Scottish Borders, a website, blog, video archive and social-media presence with 300 researched videos.
Who this would suit
A good fit for groups who enjoy a story with their history.
Whether your members already know the region well or are discovering it for the first time, Mark’s talks offer a welcoming way into the subject. The presentation can be discussed around the scale, interests and character of your group.
Historical and heritage societies
Community groups and local organisations
Family-history and genealogy groups
Groups with an interest in the Scottish Borders
The approach
“As you can see, Mark has a real passion for the unknown and forgotten history and presents his videos in a unique way to engage an audience and bring a fun way of keeping the Borders Spirit alive.”
That combination of curiosity, information and fun is at the heart of the group-speaking offer.
Arrange a talk
Tell Mark about your group and the story you would like to hear.
Use the enquiry form to share your group’s name, preferred dates, audience and any subject or Border connection you would like to explore. Mark can then discuss the best format and practical arrangements with you.
Interested in both a talk and a visit? Explore the guided tours or start with a conversation about what would suit your group.