About

The United Borderlands Historic Trust is a non-governmental organisation which was granted charitable status in 2019, after its inception with its current mission by the founding UBHT members in 2016.

We are essentially a group of professionals with core experience in landscape archaeology and heritage conservation, but with associated networked groups with experience in other related sectors – legal, rural regeneration, business etc.

 

The UBHT grew out of  a campaign for a World Heritage bid for the Anglo Scottish Borders in 2007, which unfortunately could not be advanced at the time due to lack of support by the regional councils, despite cross-party political support and an invitation for submission by central Government and UNESCO. 

The consequence however, was the concept being developed by the University of Northumbria, resulting in 2013 with the Borderlands Initiative and Growth Deal, the Heads of Terms for this £350m investment being signed by five local authorities in July 2019.

 

The purpose of the United Borderlands Historic Trust is to be a key component in the regeneration and revival of the much neglected but historically important regions of the Anglo-Scottish Borders and the 'Old North' and the preservation of its identity – which, despite the Growth Deal, continue to be ignored and neglected.

 

Through the promotion of its unique culture, history and intangible cultural heritage, the UBHT aims to create a recognisable tourism destination based on the unique shared culture of the forgotten Borderlands, from the prehistory up until the modern era, but with particular focus on the Reiving period – up until that point in the early 17th century when the Border Marches were 'cleared' and the ethnic Borderers dispersed worldwide.

 

At the same time the UBHT aims to time encourage positive cross-border relations and enterprise, this being partly in response to tensions and divisions caused by votes on referendums on both Scottish independence and Brexit.

 

The UBHT aims also to promote and encourage international links with those countries around the world where the descendants of the Borderers settled and thrived, this being in the interests of peace, tranquility, enlightenment, and unity between nations.

 

Ultimately the UBHT aims for the establishment of a world-class 'Borderlands Museum' – a permanent centre located within its historic heartland, with a key focus on authenticity, professionalism, and progressive research – a centre of excellence for the distribution of visitors throughout the old Marches of the Anglo-Scottish Borders, for the mutual benefit of all.

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By encouraging cross-border regeneration based on shared cultural roots, the UBHT aims to develop a positive model which can be applied to Borders in other regions across the world.

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Initially the UBHT aims to implement a stategy of routes, paths and signposting to the neglected, forgotten and unrecorded sites of historic interest and action across the old Marches of the Anglo-Scottish Borders.