Old travel Blog photograph of a house in Kirkstile, a small settlement within Ewesdale. Kirkstile forms part of the hamlet of Ewes on the Ewes Water, 4 miles North of Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The valley of the Ewes Water in North East Dumfries and Galloway, Ewesdale, or the Ewes Valley, extends north from Langholm for 10 miles towards the boundary with the Scottish Borders. The valley was occupied by the Armstrongs, Elliots, Littles and Scotts, but largely became the property of the Duke of Buccleuch in 1643. For many years it was known for its several corn mills. The A7 Trunk Road, which proceeds through the valley from Langholm to Hawick, was built in 1763 at the initiative of Sir William Pulteney, born 1729, died 1805. The Armstrong name has a mythological origin, in that it is said their heroic progenitor, Fairbairn, saved his king of Scotland in battle, and not from a wild beast as is the case with another Border clan, the Turnbulls. It is said that, dressed in full armour, he lifted the king onto his own horse with one arm after the King's horse had been killed under him in battle. The family crest, an arm clinched, records this act of heroism that was said to have been rewarded with a grant of lands in the Borders region and the famous Armstrong name. The first specific reference locating them in Liddesdale, which would become their family seat, is in 1376. Liddesdale was also the seat of their unquestioned power in the region that allowed them to expand into Annandale and Eskdale to accommodate their growing population. It is reputed that by 1528 they were able to put 3,000 horsemen in the field. The Armstrongs relationship with subsequent Scottish kings was turbulent to say the least. The most notorious event in this uneasy relationship occurred in 1530. John Armstrong, known in history as Gilnockie, was persuaded to attend a meeting at Carlingrigg with King James V who, unknown to Gilnockie, had the malicious intent to silence the rebellious Borderers. The ruse succeeded as Gilnockie and fifty followers were captured. The Royal order to hang them was issued and despite several pleas for the King to be lenient in exchange for obedience, it was carried out. Defiant to the last, Gilnockie said these words directly to King James V: " I am but a fool to seek grace at a graceless face, but had I known you would have taken me this day, I would have lived in the Borders despite King Harry and you both." In 1587 an act was passed by the Scottish parliament " for the quieting and keeping in obedience of the inhabitants of the Borders, Highland and Isles ... " That contained a roll of Chieftains and clans that confirms the status of Border families as an important part of clan history, and the Armstrongs as perhaps the most significant Border clan. The clan's authority resided intact at Mangerton in Liddesdale, a succession of Armstrongs retaining the Laird of Mangerton title, until 1610 when Archibald Armstrong was executed as a rebel. After this, the Armstrong lands passed into the hands of the Scotts. The clan is currently represented by the Clan Armstrong Trust in the Scottish border region. No clan chief currently exists. Gilnockie Tower Gilnockie Tower is the home of the Clan Armstrong and houses the Clan Armstrong centre.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.
No comments:
Post a Comment