When this book was first published, in 1926, it was with the aim of gathering into a single volume the story of the old castles, peel towers and historic homes of the turbulent lands between Scotland and England. As it recounts the histories of the families who lived in these landmarks, and charts their mark on local and national life, it also describes how their ballads and traditions came to cast a 'romantic halo over the whole Border country'. The author, a native of Eyemouth who became a prominent Edinburgh journalist, illustrates the book with the photographs he took during his visit to each of the sites. Ashestiel, Bemersyde House, Berwick-on-Tweed, Branxholm, Cessford Castle, Drumelzier Castle, Dryhope Tower, Elibank Castle, FernieHirst Castle, Floors Castle, Ford Castle, Gilnockie Tower, Harden House, Hermitage Castle, Hume Castle, Ladykirk, Neidpath Castle, Newark Castle, Norham Castle, Oakwood Tower, Roxburgh Castle, Smailholm Tower, Traquair, Wark Castle