The Borders: A History of the Borders from Earliest Times

by Alistair Moffat

Overview

In this acclaimed book, Alistair Moffat tells the story of a part of Scotland that has played a huge role in the nation’s history and moved poets, painters and writers as well as ordinary people for hundreds of years.

The hunter-gatherers who first penetrated the virgin interior, the Celtic warlords, the Romans, the Northumbrians and the Reivers, who dominated the Anglo-Scottish borderlands for over 300 years, have all had their part to play in the constantly evolving life of the area. It is the people of a place that make its history and Alistair Moffat’s book is a testament to those who have made the Borders their home, and who have created the traditions, myths and romance that define it so strongly.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780278919
Publisher:	Birlinn, Limited
Publication date:	06/06/2024
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	640
Sales rank:	778,146
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alistair Moffat was born and bred in the Scottish Borders. A former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Director of Programmes at Scottish Television, he now runs the burgeoning Borders Book Festival as well as a production company based near Selkirk. He has written twelve books, including Kelsae, The Reivers, The Sea Kingdoms, The Borders and The Wall, all of which are published by Birlinn.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations viii

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xi

Map xiv

1 Rivers Run Through 1

2 The Wildwood 16

3 Language And Silence 60

4 Romanitas 103

5 Both Sides The Tweed 152

6 All The Faithful Sons Of Holy Mother Church 183

7 The Battlelands 249

8 Riding Times 314

9 Dangerous Rapture 356

10 Day In, Day Out 385

11 Walter Scott And The Ignored Ground 430

12 The Singing Country 453

13 Oo 500

14 The Dawn Of A New Century 553

15 Postscript 569

Bibliography 573

Index 581

Editorial Reviews

Beautifully written, a fine book'

Sunday Herald

Quirky, learned and utterly absorbing'

Allan Massie

Highly readable - a lively, clear style'

Northern History