Today the lands are peaceful surrounding Newcastleton, Langholm and Hawick, but five hundred years ago the Border was infamous for its savage warring families who fought and foraged for generations across the valley and moors.

They were known as the Border Reivers and they created fear and terror amongst the local population during the time when the hills echoed to the sound of steel and horse.

The word 'reive' means to steal; from this came the word 'bereaved.'

The best way to understand its history and see its famous sites is to follow the Reivers Trail.