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thistleandtime.bsky.social
Thistle & Time
@thistleandtime.bsky.social
65 followers 130 following 49 posts
Exploring Scotland's historical places
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Reposted by Thistle & Time
govanstones.bsky.social
Our Viking-Age hogbacks 🐖

📷 @hornesupremacy.bsky.social
Govan 2 and Govan 3, two of our five Viking-Age carved stone memorials, known as hogbacks.
July 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Cardrona Tower sits in a small clearing among the dense trees of Cardona Forest, high above the River Tweed.

thistleandtime.scot/2025/07/19/u...
Unveiling the Ruins of Cardrona Tower
Cardrona Tower sits in a small clearing among the dense trees of Cardona Forest, high above the River Tweed. Built in the late 1500s by the Govan lairds, this modest L-plan peel tower once formed p…
thistleandtime.scot
July 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Set against the Lowther Hills, Morton Castle is a remote ruin stood on a triangular hill overlooking Loch Morton in Dumfries and Galloway.
thistleandtime.scot/2025/07/15/m...
Morton Castle: a remote, picturesque ruin
Set against the Lowther Hills, Morton Castle is a remote ruin stood on a triangular hill overlooking Loch Morton in Dumfries and Galloway. It is a good example of a hall-house, a type of fortificat…
thistleandtime.scot
July 18, 2025 at 7:30 AM
thistleandtime.bsky.social
Kilnsike Tower is a ruined but excellent example of a 16th-century bastle house (a fortified farmhouse). It was built for protection during the tumultuous period when cross-border raiders, known as reivers, operated along the Anglo-Scottish border
thistleandtime.scot/2025/06/05/e...
Exploring Kilnsike Tower: A 16th-Century Bastle House
Kilnsike Tower is a ruined but excellent example of a 16th-century bastle house (a fortified farmhouse). It was built for protection during the tumultuous period when cross-border raiders, known as…
thistleandtime.scot
July 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
undisscot.bsky.social
The fragmentary ruins of Ardvreck Castle, overlooking Loch Assynt in the heart of Sutherland. Dating back to around 1490, the castle is best known for a notorious betrayal of Highland hospitality that took place here in 1650. More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot...

#Scotland #Sutherland
Ardvreck Castle. The image shows the stump of a castle in the centre of the frame, with part of a circular turret on the left and other remains attached to its right. In the foreground is a dry-stone wall and a beach this side of it, with a group of people on the beach and the field beyond the wall. There are other people by the castle. The sky is blue.
July 11, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
helspencer.bsky.social
Finally made it to the Clava Cairns last weekend on the way back from the Highlands! Have meant to drop by many times on the way up or down the A9 and missed the @scarf-scot.bsky.social rock art workshop there in May so made a special stop this time.

#TombTuesday
A large mound of stones in a circle with a stone circle around the outside. Set in a grass field with trees behind A passage way into a stone cairn with larger stones either side of the entrance A stone on the edge of a cairn covered in moss with a series of cup marks carved into the surface A round stone cairn on the left with a large vertical rectangular standing stone to the right and more prehistoric stone remains in the distance
July 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
undisscot.bsky.social
Hackness Martello Tower on the island of South Walls in Orkney. It was built in 1814 to guard Longhope Sound, part of Scapa Flow, from attack by the French and by US privateers. More pics and info: www.undiscoveredscot...

#Scotland #HacknessMartelloTower #SouthWalls #Orkney #Longhope #ScapaFlow
Hackness Martello Tower. The image shows a circular stone structure in the right middle of the frame. It is accessed by external metal stairs on its left and surmounted by a flagpole with a light blue flag. The foreground is grassy and there are some buildings and the sea in the background. The sky is blue.
July 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Thistle & Time
petecrane.bsky.social
Johnston ‘ringing stone’ in Aberdeenshire #StandingStoneSunday
More pics of this 2 metre high granite stane with cup marks on @megalithic.bsky.social here www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?...
July 6, 2025 at 7:29 AM