The Armstrong Clan Society
A tour of the Armstrong Borderlands
1-Hermitage Castle: The seat of the "Keeper of Liddesdale", the King's representative in the area. One of the first of these was Lord William de Soulis, a Norman. In 1320, de Soulis was rescued from an angry skirmish by Alexander Armstrong, the Second Lord of Mangerton. de Soulis invited Alexander to dinner at the hermitage a few nights later, but rather than thank him, he murdered Alexander so as not to be indebted to a man he considered beneath him. The Castle walls still stand today. |
2-The Armstrong Museum: Operated by the Clan Armstrong Trust. The museum is located in the Erskine Church at Langholm.
3-Site of Mangerton: Just south of Newcastleton, on the banks of the Liddel Waters. From the late 1200s to the early 1600s, Mangerton was at the center of all Armstrong activity, and was the seat of 10 successive Armstrong Chiefs; the Lords of Mangerton. The former castle is now in ruins.
4-Ettleton Kirkyard: Burial place of many Armstrongs over the centuries, including some of the earliest clan chiefs. Several of the most ancient markers have been restored and installed in the center of the Kirkyard by the Clan Armstrong Trust.
5-The Milnholm Cross: One of the Armstrong's most ancient and important relics. After Alexander, the Second Lord of Mangerton was treacherously murdered at Hermitage in 1320, his grieving clansmen bore his body to this spot. They rested here overnight, before carrying their fallen Chief on to Ettleton Kirkyard for burial. The Milnholm cross was erected that year by the clan, in full view from Mangerton, as a memorial to Alexander.
6-Hollows Tower: Believed by many to be one of six towers built by Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, the famous Border Reiver. The tower owned by the Armstrong Clan Trust hands. Visits can be arranged through the Armstrong Clan Trust or at the museum.
7-Johnnie Armstrong Gallery: A commercially operated gallery and museum located near Caterlanrig in Teviotdale. It is not associated with the Armstrong Clan Society or Trust. |
8-Johnnie Gilnockie Tablet: Built in a wall at Caerlanrig in 1897, this tablet memorializes Johnnie Gilnockie who was treacherously murdered there by a jealous King James V in 1530
9-Johnnie Gilnockie's Grave: Located at Caerlanrig in Teviotdale, the gravesite of the great reiver is now owned and maintained as a memorial by the Armstrong Clan Trust. |
10-Saint Olave's Church: Located in York this is the burial place of Siward, one legendary progenitor of the Armstrong name.
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Updated 01 Apr 2008