Exciting Developments Around the Esk Valley Beac’n Center Parcs is now in the Scottish Borders – Planning Permission Granted, and Irvine House Plans soon to go to Planning…
Please don’t worry about our Keyboard Warrior, Tom still resides under the staircase, alongside his trusty keyboard working on wonderous new projects. That said, he is always acting as your guide and connection between Gilnockie Tower, and this wonderful wider world family of yours! As you possibly know already, I am the bit of the tower that sits on the top of the South West Gable, and we considered it prudent to send a few exciting updates that’s onganning at Gilnockie. I really wanted to say, dear me, I need to say, from the photos, I’m a ‘guid lookin reiver’?
Soooo, ‘had oan tae yer bunnet’s, hev faith, oor only gan tae tell ‘ee a wee bitty aboot whits gan oan, wi mair fur ‘ee sin’ oan…
Good morning frae the Beac’n Lantr’n, hev a guid neb at the following writings…
There was major news for our Scottish Borders area this week as Scottish Borders Council officially granted conditional planning permission for the Center Parcs Scottish Borders development. This marks an important step toward bringing Scotland’s first Center Parcs village to life, and only 30 miles north of Gilnockie Tower.
Centre Parcs have confirmed that the new village will be formally named Centre Parcs Scottish Borders – a deliberate choice reflecting both their intent to grow a new forest environment around the 700 holiday lodge site and their hope that the name itself will act as a beacon for tourism across the region.
While the project continues to move forward, Centre Parcs have noted that a number of planning conditions must first be worked through. As they integrate these into their detailed designs, the following estimated timeline has been shared:
Center Parcs has emphasised its commitment to ongoing community engagement, including regular drop – in sessions and open communication via their liaison officer, Paul Hogarth. Residents can also reach the team directly via: enquiries.scotland@centerparcs.co.uk. Further updates can be viewed at their site: https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/holiday-locations/our-new-scotland-village.html
Meanwhile, near to Gilnockie and the south Eskdale valley, the Buccleuch Group has advanced its plans for a new holiday accommodation development at Irvine House, near Langholm, and only half a mile from 2 Gilnockie Tower. Following strong local interest during community engagement sessions at the end of 2024, Buccleuch has now formally submitted its 143 holiday lodge planning application.
The project aims to sensitively transform the historic Irvine House estate into a welcoming visitor destination, while supporting the economy of Langholm and the surrounding area.
If approved, the development is expected to generate around 36 new jobs, attract new visitor traffic into Eskdale, and stimulate spending in local shops, services, and hospitality. It also offers a complementary tourism draw to the much larger Centre Parcs development farther north – ensuring that Langholm Canonbie, Gilnockie Tower and the valley maintain their own distinctive identity and economic opportunities.
Together, the Centre Parcs development and the Irvine House lodge proposal represent some of the most significant tourism-related investments the Borders and Eskdale have seen in a generation. While each project is independent, both share the potential to:
No excuses, now ample accommodation on the Anglo-Scottish Border for Armstrong families, and of course, our other close relatives as well!
The Beac’n Lantr’n will continue from now on to send a signal so that we can shine a light on developments that matter, to our Armstrong, and other readers.
Guid folks, we are almost into a new season, pop along and talk to us! Our 2026 Leaflet Distribution Day’s – Free Visit, Coffee and Tour of Gilnockie Tower! All we ask, is bring along your own advertising leaflets, 15/20, and we will give some of ours, so that we can all advertise each other’s business experiences, as one, and all at as low a distribution cost as is possible.
Teviotdale Steel Bonnets will be in attendance on the 21st March, and they will tell you a tale or two of their experience in the history of the Anglo-Scottish Border Reivers.
Hawick once again becomes the beating heart of Border history from 27th to 29th March 2026. Step back into the 16th century and immerse yourself in a weekend of re-enactments, music, storytelling, and 3 traditional festivities. History enthusiasts will be descending on Hawick for this lively celebration of its Reiver heritage. Full details of the 2026 programme will be released later in the year – follow the Festival on social media to keep up to date.
To get a flavour of what to expect, explore the 2025 Festival highlights here: Hawick Reivers Festival 2025 – https://www.hawickreivers.com/
From the late 13th to the early 17th century, these notorious raiders operated along the Anglo-Scottish frontier. Known for their horsemanship, daring raids, and fierce family loyalties, the Reivers lived in a world of shifting alliances, feuds, and survival. Hawick, a stronghold of Reiver culture, still proudly keeps this heritage alive through its annual festival.
One of Scotland’s oldest and most cherished traditions, the Hawick Common Riding with its stirring war cry of “Safe Oot, Safe In”, will take place across two days in early June. The highlight – the Riding of the Boundaries – is held on the Friday, while Saturday features horse racing on Hawick Moor and the ceremonial return of the flag to the Council Chambers. A spectacle of horsemanship, pageantry, and civic pride, the Common Riding brings the whole community together in a powerful celebration of Hawick’s identity.
The Armstrongs return to their ancestral stronghold at Gilnockie Tower, Historic Home of Clan Armstrong, for an unforgettable weekend. Borderland Textiles, Borderland Art & Crafts, a couple of prominent Border Reivers authors going to talk about their background and books.
We can now confirm that Annandale Distillery, based in the town of Annan, will be on site both Gathering days. Grant, our contact at the distillery, will be taking whisky related mini conferences during two days, and will be offering samples from the range of spirits produce within the Annandale Distillery.
To date, the Beac’n Lantr’n has visited the distillery, official business of course, on a number of occasions recently, principally, to ensure that the dram of the local Amber is ageing to perfection in time for the gathering! Report to follow, relating to further research!
Expect history, heritage, ghosty stories about the real Gilnock, and a fair measure of drama as the back ground to the Border Reiver Trail 60, the Teviotdale Steel Bonnets and much much more will all surpass themselves with an ‘All Floors Extravaganza’ of 16th century history, as this range of traditions take centre stage. More information on the Teviotdale Steel Bonnets in our Have You Heard newsletter.
Look ‘oot fur thame ither faamiles awaitin trubl at Gilnock’…
Our updated HYH Newsletters are available from our websites gilnockietower.co.uk and theborderreivertrail.co.uk, or email us at gt@gilnockietower.co.uk and we will send you a copy.
Exclusive Armstrong-only sensations will also be revealed – prizes and surprises that clan’s folk worldwide will be eager to rally aroon. Explosive and revealing – subject to availability Ghost Tours of the Border Reiver Trail 60!!!!!!
An Armstrong raffle will be held over the two days, so keep an eye open for that show on its own. With so, so many exciting things yet to unfold this is certainly NOT A SHOW to miss…
Da dit da… A message has just come in from the towers ‘Barrel Vault’, how true we dinna ken, the to’ors Project Manager has put himself forward, to do a short talk on the development of the Border Reiver Trail 60, at the Saturday Gathering Event…
More if we hear owt…
With its cry of “Safe Oot, Safe In”, Annan’s annual Riding of the Marches is a stirring spectacle of heritage, horsemanship, and community. Riders set out to inspect the town’s 15-mile boundary, galloping across merse, sand, and hill, stopping at historic markers such as the Beltedstane and Altarstane.
The tradition dates back centuries, rooted in the defence of the Burgh’s boundaries during turbulent times. Today it continues as a vibrant community celebration – with processions, parades, pipe bands, and exhibitions at Annan Museum, which also curate’s objects tied to the Marches such as the Boundary Map and Cornet’s regalia.
This is living heritage in action – a festival of place, people, and memory that still inspires locals and visitors alike.
Held on the last Friday in July, the Langholm Common Riding is a tradition stretching back to 1759. Riders set out to check the town boundaries before the dramatic Kirk Wynd Gallop up to the Malcolm Monument – a true test of horsemanship.
The day also features children carrying Heather Besoms in a colourful procession carrying symbolic items such as the fish, the crown, and the thistle – each a proud emblem of Langholm’s past.
Annan, the History Town hosts – The Border Gathering – an Annual Gathering of the Clans on the Scottish Borderlands, down by the banks of the River Annan. Annan’s history came in waves like our Solway tide, carrying Romans to settle on our river banks, bringing Vikings with their haaf net fishing which we still practise here today; attracting the Normans including Robert the Bruce’s family who built Annan Castle.
The fierce power of Annan River swept it away and centuries of turmoil ensued. When cross-border hostilities ceased, exciseman Rabbie Burns patrolled this smuggler coast and wrote great poems in Annan.
Prosperity came in the 19th Century. Record-breaking tall ships were built in Annan and sailed the Atlantic from our harbour with cargoes of people and sandstone. This red sandstone, which helped build New York, still brightens our High Street and every building, courtyard and back wynd has a story to tell of great writers, radical churchmen. fine artists, military leaders and more! Information available from – https://www.annanthehistorytown.org/
From Reiver re-enactments to centuries-old Common Ridings, these events keep alive the traditions of resilience, pride, and kinship that define the Anglo-Scottish Borderlands.
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that 2026 is a healthy, kindly, and positive experience!
Aye tae ‘ee a’
The Beac’n Lantr’n.