Embark on a captivating journey of discovery learning about Gilnockie Tower and it’s connection to the Clan Armstrong.
The Clan Armstrong Museum concluded its operations over six years ago at its Lodge Walk location in Langholm DG13 0ND. Regrettably, the museum will not reopen at its current site due to the urgent need for repairs or dismantling of the timber-clad building.
The original lease for the building, established in 1995 by the Clan Armstrong, had expired. The landlord, acknowledging the historical significance of the owners, opted to undertake the necessary repairs and repurpose the structure within their own organisation.
In light of these developments, the current owner of Gilnockie Tower proposed a solution to house the existing Clan Armstrong Trust archive and artifacts within Gilnockie Tower. The Trust Board accepted this generous offer, ensuring the preservation of the trust’s valuable historical collection at its new location.
As we continue to sift through numerous artifacts, you can anticipate seeing them all showcased right here at Gilnockie Tower.
If you possess historical Border Reiver artifacts that you would like to contribute for safekeeping and display at the tower, please reach out to us at gt@gilnockietower.co.uk.
Built in the heart of the lawless ‘Debateable Lands’ within the Anglo-Scottish countryside for one of the area’s most notorious Reiving families, Gilnockie Tower, has had a hard life during the last 500 years. Somehow it has survived and following a privately funded repair it has a new lease of life as a visitor attraction and hosts the Clan Armstrong Centre.
The ‘Debateable Lands’ is an area measuring approximately 40 square miles, that straddles the Anglo-Scottish Border, 80 miles south of the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh and 10 miles north of the English city of Carlisle.
Today it is an area of outstanding beauty, peace and tranquillity. It has however not always been like this. In the late 15th and early 16th century it was an area occupied by the ’Border Reivers’ – a gathering of individual families who would live in harmony most of the time, but would also plunder, rob, and sometimes murder in order that they could obtain the goods and animals that they required for their families to survive. There were many prominent families in the area at this time and none more so that of the ‘Armstrong’s’.
George MacDonald Fraser in his book “The Steel Bonnets” describes the Armstrong’s as “the most feared and dangerous riding clan on the whole frontier” who, in Johnnie Armstrong’s day, could put hundreds of men in the saddle and “probably did more damage by foray than any other two families combined”.
Their reputation for ferocity grew over the centuries, due in part to the constant need to defend their territory. Clan Armstrong came to be of great importance to the Royal House of Stuart, as Scotland didn’t have a regular standing army – it was wiped out at the Battle of Flodden Moor in 1513, and often relied on the border clans for military aid.
James V inherited his throne in 1513, at the tender age of 17 months, after his father James IV was killed at the Battle of Flodden Field. The country was ruled by regents until 1524 until he dismissed them and began to rule outright as a boy king. With the feuds raging in the marches, and his uncle Henry VIII of England criticising his failure to stop them, James V needed to take decisive action. Hence, the Armstrong clan was an obvious target to set up as an example.
In 1530 James V invited Johnny Armstrong of Gilnockie to have talks with him. They were to meet the Royal hunting party, under a “luing letter of safe conduct” issued by James, at Caerlanrig, a hamlet to the south of Hawick. Johnny and his men, not sensing any danger, went out from Gilnockie Tower unarmed and dressed in their best finery, befitting a meeting with a monarch. What the king didn’t tell them was that there was an army of 10,000 men waiting to ambush them. On seeing Johnny and his men finely dressed, the teenage king was alleged to utter with great indignation ‘what wants this knave that a king should have?’ meaning, why are these men dressed like kings? He immediately ordered their execution.
James had no intention of talking to them. He considered them traitors. Armstrong and his men were allegedly hanged. Johnny Armstrong, horrified at this betrayal of trust said before he died, that he had been a fool to ‘seek grace’ in a ‘graceless face’. The Armstrong’s clan may have been guilty of many things, but to their proud minds, duplicity, was repugnant.
Following the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the new king of Great Britain, King James I of England and VI of Scotland, ordered fortified houses along the Anglo-Scottish border to be demolished. Gilnockie was one of the few which survived. The current condition and how it has survived the passage of time is amazing.
After these turbulent early years Gilnockie Tower lay empty for more than three centuries before it was purchased and renovated in the mid 1970’s by a local businessman and made into a private home for him and his family.
In 1995 it was purchased by businessman Colin Armstrong, a former British Consular based in South America but who returns to the United Kingdom several times per year. Gilnockie Tower is still in his family ownership today.
In 2016 he decided that he wanted the tower to be opened to visitors and he engaged the services of a local retired engineer and historian to oversee any repairs that might be necessary before the door could be opened to the public.
That task took much longer than anticipated and it was not until April 2018 that the door was opened to the public.
The building has been completely and sympathetically repaired and now, Gilnockie Tower is the finest example of a 16th century Scottish Tower House anywhere in Scotland. So much so that it has been graded as a 4 star attraction by Visit Scotland.
The Barrel-Vaulted Room or ‘Undercroft’ on the ground floor is now a visitor reception area and also houses the Johnnie Armstrong Café and Gift Shop. This originally would have been a general storage area for provisions and a prized animal.
On the first floor the Great Hall has been restored, complete with large fire to reflect the living quarters of the day. On the second floor you will find the Master Bedchamber. This houses a four poster bed, associated furniture and a very early example of an en-suite.
On the third floor, The Neil Armstrong Room, you will find what would have been the family room and now is home to the Armstrong Museum and Exhibition space. It contains memorabilia relating to the Armstrong’s.
Photographs galore and artifacts all belonging to Armstrong’s or associated with the Armstrong family from years gone by. One recent find on show is a stone cannonball that was found outside the building during drainage excavations in 2018. Proof, if any was required that life at Gilnockie Tower was not always peace and tranquillity.
One member of the family who is more familiar in modern times is Neil Alden Armstrong – the first man to step onto the moon. Neil and his wife Janet visited the nearby town of Langholm on 11 March 1972. Neil was made a “Freeman of the Burgh”. A prized accolade that is very rarely given. Neil remains the only person to have received it from Langholm. He visited Gilnockie Tower during that visit and he stood on the outside walkway, a place from which his fighting forebears might have viewed the moon before departing on one of their many raids. Today, many items and photographs relating to Neil Armstrong’s journey to the moon are on display in a specially designed cabinet. The most eye-catching is the impression of his moon boot.
On the top floor the visitor will find the ‘garratt’ or guardhouse. In reiving times this is where the younger members of the family may have relaxed. Alternatively, this space may have been used by the guards who were employed to keep an eye on the comings and goings of all around the valley This area gives easy access to the external walkway.
From the walkway on the roof of the tower, a 360 degree panorama of the surrounding area gives views that are breathtaking. The English Lake District which is approximately 30 miles away can be seen on a clear day.
Many Armstrong’s from around the world make a visit to the ancestral home, a must on their bucket list. It is where their family line began and is without doubt the ‘Historical Home of the Armstrong Clan’.
On 20/21 July 2019, a celebratory weekend was held to recognise and celebrate the 500 years that the tower had been standing and also the 50th anniversary celebration of Neil Armstrong’s moon landing. Over 700 visitors attended, many from Australia, Canada and the United States of America. Visitors were entertained with demonstrations of Border Reiver life by a re-enactment society. There were also demonstrations of local crafts and music.
Gilnockie Tower is also actively engaged with students at all levels of education. From university students studying tourism and business, to children who are at the start of their education all learning about the local history of the area. Education field study trips are becoming a familiar occurrence at Gilnockie Tower.
In 2019, an assessor from Visit Scotland, Scotlands National Tourist Organisation secretly made a visit to Gilnockie Tower. She presented herself as a day visitor and accessed all areas. At the end of her visit, she reported her findings to the organisation who in turn awarded Gilnockie Tower 4 star status as a visitor attraction. To achieve this is no mean feat in the first full year of being open to the public. It is an award that the staff is justly proud, and every effort is being made to achieve the top grade of 5-star status in 2021.
The Armstrong clan motto Invictus Maneo – I remain unvanquished – is a remarkable fitting, for a remarkable building in the Anglo-Scottish Borderland.
Tom Jack, Gilnockie Tower.
Welcome to the captivating world of Gilnockie Tower, where the echoes of Border Reiver history come alive through the legacy of Johnnie Armstrong. Nestled in the picturesque landscapes, Gilnockie Tower stands as a testament to a bygone era, with Johnnie Armstrong at its heart.
Johnnie Armstrong, a notable Border Reiver, was a charismatic and daring figure who left an indelible mark on the history of the Scottish Borders. Known for his strategic prowess and charm, Armstrong was a key player in the turbulent times of the 16th century.
Gilnockie Tower served as Johnnie Armstrong’s stronghold, a place that witnessed both the triumphs and challenges of his life. Explore the very walls that once sheltered this iconic Border Reiver and get a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the past.
Johnnie Armstrong, the infamous Border Reiver, met a tragic end. In 1530, during the reign of King James V of Scotland, Johnnie Armstrong and a group of his followers were invited by a “luing letter of safe conduct” to meet with the king. However, instead of a peaceful negotiation, King James V, possibly feeling threatened by the growing influence of the Border Reivers, betrayed the trust and had Johnnie Armstrong and his men arrested.
Without a fair trial, Johnnie Armstrong and around fifty of his followers were summarily executed. The exact method of execution varies in historical accounts, but they were likely hanged. This sudden and ruthless action by the king brought an abrupt end to Johnnie Armstrong’s life and marked the suppression of the Border Reivers in the 16th century.
Immerse yourself in the Gilnockie Tower experience as you discover the fascinating tales of Johnnie Armstrong. Wander through the halls, adorned with artifacts and exhibits that bring to life the era of Border Reivers. From weaponry to personal belongings, each item tells a story of a time when clans and conflicts shaped the region’s history.
A Pioneer in Space Exploration Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut and the first person to set foot on the Moon has had a remarkable life who has left an indelible mark on the history of human exploration.
Neil Alden Armstrong was born on 5th August 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, USA. From a young age, Armstrong displayed an interest in aviation and space. He earned his pilot’s license before he could even drive and went on to study aeronautical engineering at Purdue University, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in 1955.
Armstrong’s journey into space began with a career in the United States Navy. He served as a fighter pilot during the Korean War and flew over 75 combat missions. Armstrong’s exceptional skills and dedication to aviation paved the way for his selection as a test pilot at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor to NASA.
In 1962, Armstrong joined NASA’s second group of astronauts, known as the New Nine. His calm demeanour and outstanding piloting abilities contributed to his selection as the commander of the Gemini 8 mission in 1966, during which he performed the first successful docking of two spacecraft in orbit.
The historic Apollo 11 mission marked the pinnacle of Armstrong’s career. On the 20th July, 1969, he descended from the lunar module and became the first human to set foot on the Moon, uttering the famous words, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” This momentous achievement solidified Armstrong’s place in history and the collective imagination of people around the world.
After leaving NASA in 1971, Armstrong took on various roles, including teaching aerospace engineering and serving on corporate boards. He remained an advocate for space exploration and technology advancements until his passing on the 25th August 2012.
Neil Armstrong’s legacy extends beyond his historic moonwalk. His humility, courage, and contributions to space exploration continue to inspire generations of scientists, engineers, and dreamers.
In 1972, a few years following his historic moonwalk during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, Neil Armstrong paid a visit to Langholm, Scotland. During this visit, he was bestowed the honour of becoming the first freeman of Langholm in recognition of his groundbreaking achievements.
While in Langholm, Neil Armstrong took the opportunity to visit his ancestral home at Gilnockie Tower. Joined by his wife Janet, the couple stood atop of the tower, expressing their deep appreciation for the Armstrong heritage. This poignant moment further solidified the connection between the renowned astronaut and his familial roots at Gilnockie Tower.
Come and visit the Neil Alden Armstrong room at Gilnockie Tower, where a specially curated and dedicated space awaits your exploration. This unique room has been set aside to honour the legacy of the iconic astronaut, providing visitors with a captivating glimpse into Neil Alden Armstrong’s remarkable life and achievements.
Sir William George Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong (1810 – 1900) was a pioneering English engineer, industrialist, scientist, and philanthropist. Founder of the Armstrong Whitworth manufacturing concern on Tyneside, he is hailed as a key figure in the Industrial Revolution.
Sir William Armstrong’s contributions to engineering are unparalleled. He is recognized as the inventor of modern artillery, with a legacy that extends beyond manufacturing concerns. Knighted in 1859 for generously offering his gun patents to the government, Armstrong’s impact on military technology is enduring.
In collaboration with the esteemed architect Richard Norman Shaw, Armstrong undertook a groundbreaking project – Cragside (link to Cragside to be added) in Northumberland. This iconic residence holds the distinction of being the world’s first house lit by hydroelectricity. A testament to his innovative spirit, Cragside stands as a symbol of early advancements in residential technology.
Beyond his industrial and engineering endeavours, Sir William Armstrong’s philanthropic contributions were noteworthy. In recognition of his achievements and service, he was knighted in 1859. The year 1887 marked another pinnacle in his illustrious career when, during Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Armstrong of Cragside.