The Borderers USA is a chapter of The Borderers, a living history group near Dumfries, Scotland. Our goal, in the United States, is to tell the public about the “other” Scotland. For over three hundred years, the borderlands, or frontier, of northern England and southern Scotland was a place of turmoil and lawlessness. It was controlled by strong, riding families with names like Armstrong, Elliot, Kerr, Graham, Scott, Charlton, Carlisle, Hume, and many others. Loyalty to their country was second to their family and some were known to switch nationalities if they saw the other would be more beneficial to them. They were at constant feud with others on each side of the border and sometimes with their own families. They stole each other’s livestock, burned each other’s homes, kidnapped, murdered, and gave the English language words like ‘bereaved’, ‘gang’, and ‘blackmail’. They were known as the Border Reivers. This centuries old unrest led to a massive campaign by King James I to eradicate them and bring peace to the border region and the unified countries of Scotland and England once and for all. In the first decade of the 17th century, the reivers were arrested by the thousands, with many being executed or exiled to Northern Ireland, the American colonies, Australia, and New Zealand. The days of the riding families and their lawlessness was over. This important piece of history, which greatly influenced the world we live in today, is all but forgotten.

The Borderers USA have chosen to portray the reivers in the late 1500’s, when they were at the height of their power. To accurately display the lives and customs of the 16th century Border Scots will take some effort and knowledge. It is the goal of The Borderers USA to provide the knowledge necessary for its members to be successful in doing this. Over 100 unpublished E-photos of The Borderers re-enactment group in Scotland will be available to members. These photos include clothing, horses and tack, weapons, armor, blacksmithing, cooking, table manners, Sumptuary law and other customs of the 16th century border Scots. This organization will also be a meeting place for the members to exchange stories, photos, learn more about other borderers and what they are doing to promote border history and culture, and to post links to their particular clan events and festivals around the nation. A monthly newsletter will be emailed to each member with information that you, the members, contribute plus other interesting facts about border life and the Border Reivers.