Thistle & Time
LightNews LightNews
banner
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Thistle & Time
@thistleandtime.bsky.social
69 followers 140 following 55 posts
Exploring Scotland's historical places
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Thistle & Time
kpw1453.bsky.social
The remains of the bathhouse at Bar Hill Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall, near Twechar in East Dunbartonshire. The fort is the highest of the 16 known forts on the wall. 📸 My own. #RomanFortThursday #RomanBritain #BarHill
January 15, 2026 at 7:08 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Craigievar Castle first received its distinctive colour back in 1824 when the original cream coloured lime harling was replaced with a pink harling.
thistleandtime.scot/2026/01/13/e...
Explore the Enchanting Craigievar Castle in Scotland
There are very few castles with such an evocative, fairytale-like appearance as Craigievar Castle. Located amidst the rolling foothills of the Grampian Mountains in Aberdeenshire, the castle is wid…
thistleandtime.scot
January 15, 2026 at 8:40 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Cardrona Tower sits in a small clearing among the dense trees of Cardona Forest, high above the River Tweed. It is featured in the podcast series, “Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders” available on all main platforms.
Drone shot of ruined tower,showing incomplete and overgrown jagged walls, set in grassy clearing.
January 9, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
paulchamberlain.bsky.social
Callanish 2 , sunset yesterday #StandingStoneSunday
December 28, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
undisscot.bsky.social
The imposing Cawdor Castle south-west of Nairn, traditional home of the Thanes of Cawdor. According to tradition it was built from 1370 around a hawthorn tree whose trunk can still be seen in the castle cellars. More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot...

#Scotland #CawdorCastle #Nairn
The image shows Cawdor Castle from its front, with an open gateway and two-storey ranges either side. Beyond the gateway is the main keep, rising to four storeys, topped by battlements and turrets. There is a lawn in the foreground at the bottom of the frame. The castle is in sunshine though there are clouds behind it.
December 28, 2025 at 7:16 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Melrose Abbey is one of Scotland’s most significant and visually striking medieval ruins. King David 1st founded the abbey for Cistercian monks, a religious order known for their austere way of life and dedication to manual labour.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/02/06/t...
The ruins of Melrose Abbey
Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders is one of Scotland’s most significant and visually striking medieval ruins. Its history stretches back to 1136, when King David 1st founded the abbey…
thistleandtime.scot
December 23, 2025 at 9:27 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Not much remains of Rhymer’s Tower, the ruin of a 16th century tower house in Earlston. It features in the podcast series “Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders”.
Fragment of old wall, with vegetation in fore and background.
December 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Today, little remains of Mangerton Tower—only a section of the basement and some wall fragments.Yet, it holds nearly legendary status because of one family: the Armstrongs, infamous and powerful border reivers, who made it their main seat.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/11/24/t...
The Border Reivers of Mangerton Tower
Today, little remains of Mangerton Tower—only a section of the basement and some wall fragments. It is hardly a romantic ruin. Yet, it holds nearly legendary status because of one family: the Armst…
thistleandtime.scot
December 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Littledean Tower, built in the 16th century, was attacked by an English Army during the “Rough Wooing”. It was also home to notorious Border Reivers and a ghost. It features in the podcast series “Hidden Histories of the Scottish Borders” available on all main platforms. #scotland #castle #history
Drone shot of the ruined Tower, red sandstone curved wall on left rising in height. Wall on right missing. No roof. Trees behind.
November 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Ruthven Barracks (pronounced Riven), overlooking the small town of Kingussie in Badenoch, is a striking ruin with a rich history. It was one of four Highland barracks built by the British government following the Jacobite Rising of 1715.

thistleandtime.scot/2025/10/23/t...
The Jacobite Legacy of Ruthven Barracks in Scotland
Ruthven Barracks (pronounced Riven), overlooking the small town of Kingussie in Badenoch, is a striking ruin with a rich history. It was one of four Highland barracks built by the British governmen…
thistleandtime.scot
November 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
A dramatic clifftop setting and a turbulent history make Dunnottar Castle one of Scotland’s most captivating castles. Located on a rocky headland about a mile and a half (2.4 km) south of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, it is one of Scotland’s most visited castles.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/10/07/d...
Dunnottar Castle: A Must-Visit Site in Aberdeenshire
A dramatic clifftop setting and a turbulent history make Dunnottar Castle one of Scotland’s most captivating castles. Located on a rocky headland about a mile and a half (2.4 km) south of Sto…
thistleandtime.scot
October 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Perched on a hillside plateau high above the River Tweed, the ruins of Elibank Castle are a reminder of the Scottish Borders’ unsettled history.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/09/23/e...
Exploring Elibank Castle: A Historic Scottish Fortress
Perched on a hillside plateau high above the River Tweed, the ruins of Elibank Castle are a reminder of the Scottish Borders’ unsettled history. Located about 3 kilometres east of Walkerburn …
thistleandtime.scot
October 15, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
undisscot.bsky.social
Flora MacDonald's birthplace and monument on beautiful South Uist in the Western Isles. She was born on an apparently unknown date in 1722 and would later become famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie cross "over the sea to Skye". More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot...

#Scotland #SouthUist
Flora MacDonald's birthplace and monument. The image shows an enclosure made of large stones in the foreground enclosing a circular cairn with a plaque on it. There’s a gate in the bottom right of the frame with a welcome sign on it. The landscape in the background is very flat. The sky is blue.
October 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
digitscotland.bsky.social
Heading to a market this weekend? You may be living like a 10th-century Viking 🧺

Established beach markets, like at Culbin Sands in Moray, were important seasonal events where locals gathered on beaches to meet ships carrying exotic goods, trade and socialise: www.digitscotland.com/who-were-the...
Photo of a beach with low cloud reflected in the water
September 19, 2025 at 2:19 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Castlehill Tower is a late 15th-century tower house in the Scottish Borders. Its architecture and strategic location—guarding a vital ford—reflect the widespread conflict and lawlessness of the turbulent Border Reivers era.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/09/17/c...
Castlehill Tower: History and Architecture
On a grassy hill behind some houses in the small village of Castlehill stands an intriguing ruin. Castlehill Tower, also known as Castle Hill of Manor, is a late 15th-century tower house. Its archi…
thistleandtime.scot
September 17, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
kpw1453.bsky.social
Nether Largie South Cairn at Kilmartin Glen in Argyll. The cairn dates to the late Neolithic and Bronze Age, and is one of many impressive prehistoric monuments in the area. 📸 My own. #TombTuesday #Prehistory #Kilmartin #Argyll
September 16, 2025 at 6:24 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Dryhope Tower is a significant ruined peel or tower house located in the valley of the Yarrow Water near St Mary’s Loch in the Scottish Borders. thistleandtime.scot/2025/09/08/e...
Exploring Dryhope Tower: A Glimpse into Scottish Border History
Dryhope Tower is a significant ruined peel or tower house located in the valley of the Yarrow Water near St Mary’s Loch in the Scottish Borders. Historically serving as a defensive structure, this …
thistleandtime.scot
September 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
When it comes to dramatic locations, Fast Castle takes some beating. There may not be much remaining today, but getting there, and experiencing its extreme position, will take your breath away. #castles #scotland
thistleandtime.scot/2025/08/31/f...
Fast Castle: a dramatic Scottish ruin
When it comes to dramatic locations, Fast Castle takes some beating. There may not be much remaining today, but getting there, and experiencing its extreme position, will take your breath away. Loc…
thistleandtime.scot
September 4, 2025 at 7:54 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Smailholm Tower stands on a rocky outcrop 7 miles (11 km) west of Kelso in the Scottish Borders.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/08/15/s...
Smailholm Tower: A Glimpse into Medieval Border Life
The beautifully preserved Smailholm Tower was built in the mid-15th century by the Pringle family (then known as Hoppringle), who were wardens of Ettrick Forest for the Black Douglases.  Descr…
thistleandtime.scot
August 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
damonspencer.bsky.social
A few photos of Tantallon Castle, situated east of Edinburgh (near Dunbar). Built around 1350, it has seen many battles and several sieges. It's in a lovely location and is worth visiting if you're in the area.

#Travel #Scotland #History
August 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Orchardton Tower is an unusual free-standing round tower, the only one of its type in Scotland. It operated as a fortified residence for a nobleman named John Cairns, who may have acquired the land after James II's overthrow of the Douglases in 1455.
Round stone building with 3 small windows. Ruined out buildings.
August 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Neidpath Castle is an impressive medieval L-plan tower house, dramatically positioned on a cliff overlooking the River Tweed, about a mile (1.6 km) west of Peebles. It has witnessed some 800 years of Scottish history.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/07/28/n...
Explore Neidpath Castle: A Journey Through Scottish History
Neidpath Castle is an impressive medieval L-plan tower house, dramatically positioned on a cliff overlooking the River Tweed, about a mile (1.6 km) west of Peebles. It has witnessed some 800 …
thistleandtime.scot
August 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Whitslaid Tower is a ruined 16th-century tower house on a strategic site high above the eastern bank of the Leader Water, approximately two miles (3.2 km) south of Lauder in the Scottish Borders. thistleandtime.scot/2025/08/01/w...
Whitslaid Tower: Insights into Border life and history
Whitslaid Tower is a ruined 16th-century tower house (Peel Tower). It sits on a strategic site high above the eastern bank of the Leader Water, approximately two miles (3.2 km) south of Lauder in t…
thistleandtime.scot
August 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
In the heart of picturesque Braemar village in the Scottish Highlands, next to Clunie Water, are the ruins of Kindrochit Castle.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/07/18/v...
Visit the Ruins of Kindrochit Castle in Braemar
In the heart of picturesque Braemar village in the Scottish Highlands, next to Clunie Water, are the ruins of Kindrochit Castle. Though weathered by centuries, the remnants tell a story of me…
thistleandtime.scot
July 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
undisscot.bsky.social
The slightly creepy "Devil's Clawmarks" at the ruined Lady Kirk on the island of Sanday in Orkney. It would have taken a fairly large being with at least six claws to have made the marks in question: or perhaps some sort of erosion? More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot...

#Scotland #Orkney
Devil's Clawmarks. The image shows the top of a brownish-grey stone wall slightly angled from lower left to top right of the frame. There are six deep grooves carved out of on the stone on the left of the frame, filled with water. A person’s had extends into the frame from the right and is placed on the top of the wall to give a sense of scale. It is much smaller than the six grooves.
July 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM