ArmstrongTours

08/08/2024

This is sad.....

The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust has announced that the Moat Brae Visitor Centre in Dumfries will close its doors to the public on 23rd August 2024. This

05/08/2024

Lanark covenanters. This monument was erected in memory of all of the lanark associated covenanters. It lists those who were martyred, those who were tortured and banished, and also those who were fined. The immediate surroundings of the memorial were updated in 2017. A little about the covenanters following the Pentland rising at St John's town of Dalry in Galloway on 13th Nov 1666, The Covenanters decided to march to Edinburgh. They arrived in Lanark on 25th November around one thousand in number. On 26th November the covenanters filled the town centre. The solem league and covenant was renewed this was the first time it occurred since it was drawn up in the 1640s Rev John Guthrie who had been evicted from Tarbolton church in Ayrshire stood on the toolbooth steps and addressed the infantry at Townhead Rev Gabriel Semple preached to the horsemen. Those that had assembled raised their hands and swore their allegiance. The covenanters then marched towards Edinburgh where they were defeated in battle at Rullion Green on 29th of November 1666. On the 12th January 1682 the covenanters marched into Lanark where they published the lanark declaration. Their leader was Rev James Renwick he had 60 men read the declaration from the cross, which they defaced with hammers. The declaration was entitled the act and apologetic declaration of the Presbyterian of the church of Scotland. In this they adhered to the declarations of Rutherglen and Sanquhar and repudiated the unconstitutional acts of Charles II. The magistrates of the council were fined 6,000 marks for their slackness in apprehending the desperate villians.

01/08/2024

The many tours I've done over the years, many folk have come in search of their heritage.
Many other folk have never known they of border heritage until that is they arrive.
Connie Armstrong here in the picture has just completed a tour with me only to learn there's border blood amongst her ancestors. The name is Gilchrist. She found it on the Reiver walk of fame.

Her words were, "I married a Reiver now I am one or I'm doubly cursed.

Great day with Connie learning of Border Heritage.

01/08/2024

Did you know Peter Pan is a Scotsman? The inspiration for Peter Pan came from moatbrae in Dumfries. The author for Peter Pan was JM Barrie, born in kerrie Moir in the late 19th century. His parents moved to Dumfries, where Barrie would attend Dumfries academy from 1875-1878. While attending the academy, he became friends with the folks at moatbrae and found inspiration for his novel at the house while playing with his friends.

The house fell into bad disrepear in the 20th century and was ear marked for demolish. Until that is until volunteers managed to save the place and transform and restore it into what you see today.

01/08/2024

Folks I'd like to announce ArmstrongTours has been awarded a four star 🌟 grading by VisitScotland for excellence.

Reive on and Reiver out.

11/07/2024

A tour, a story, and a Scottish heroine of the 20th century.
I spoke of the killing times late in the 17th century. I spoke about Lady degevorgila. The mother of Bailiol.
We also learned of Jane Haining, the Scottish heroine of the early/ mid-20th century. Yes, I'm still here, folks. I'm just unable to get back on facebook.
I love touring. there's always something new to learn.

10/06/2024

08/06/2024

Hey guys 👋

08/06/2024

Heyyy guys I hope everyone is well? Just a quick note to let know that Adam unfortunately is unable to access Facebook at the moment - he would like to let you know his still here and available and should be back online pretty soon many thanks everyone for your patience and continued support 👍

21/05/2024

Auld Allie Welcome, cried the Lone Reiver. Always a welcome soght to have the littles on my tours.

25/11/2023

Plunge, emerse, wrap yourself in the history of the borders as we go on a journey to discover Brition tribes, Romans, Saxons and Vikings and thr most famous of them all the border clans and families.

We can take you off the beaten track and show you gems not big coach companys can show you. We are totally bespoke so you are in charge of your adventure. I've helped Dacres, Lowthers, Elliots, Armstrongs, Hendersons Hetheringtons, Grahams and many more discover their roots.

Your adventure starts here.

25/11/2023

"Tis the graveyard and burial place of thou rankest Reiver, thee most of famous of them all" chuckled the Reiver.
Mother stood next to the ghostly figure of Kinmont Willie,
"You've become an icon Amongst the descendants of your kin and namsake Mr Kinmont." Smiled mother Nature.
Will stood in the wind next to his grave, the Reiver the only one of them being in the mortal realm. Smiled at his counterpart. Several other figures appeared from the nether world. Davy, Black Jock and Sandy, not forgetting our Maggie.

"Aye the Armstrongs shall live the hearts of many, for years to come" grimaced the Reiver.
Will looked at his cousin, "that they will boy!" Chuckled Will as his spirit dissappeared in the wind.

The others followed suit, leaving mother nature and the Reiver stood in silence, the odd car making its way to or from Annan or Langholm. The Reiver looked at mother nature. She smiled.

"Keep going Reiver" she whispered as she too dissappeared into the wind. Leaving the Reiver alone in this spooky place. He grinned to himself adjust his trilby and winked as he left the confinds of sark graveyard.

07/11/2023

Fairy tale castles and stories of jacobite sympathisers, the wrong decision by highland chief to eliminate his enemies and a fliming location for Downton Abbey.

All in good days touring with ArmstrongTours, to the sites of William Wallace and the battle of Stirling bridge and Bannockburn Robert theBruce. To king trapped by his own cousins ill gotten plans.

Come with us through the mists of time and we shall show you history at its best.

07/11/2023

Love these guys. Spooktacular ghost tours...

08/10/2023

These families had no idea how epic the border region really is. On the border were the Armstrongs somewhat unruly, and ill tae tame. Tgey did more damage by foray than any other two families combined.

What a season..

08/10/2023

On the border were the Armstrongs, somewhat unruly and ill tae tame. We did more damage by foray than any other two families combined.

These families had no idea how EPIC the border region really is. Until they met the Lone Reiver..

01/09/2023

At last, we here at ArmstrongTours, believe in quality over quantity. So it is with great pleasure that we now have a quality assured grading in progress

Mre to come....

01/09/2023

Here at ArmstrongTours, we pride ourselves on quality. So we are proud to annouce we have our quality grading in progress.

This will show potential visitors that we care about your time you spend with us on your adventures. And that only the best will be enough for you guys.

Your adventure is our mission, your adventure begins here.

More to come.

10/05/2023

Tours, tours, tours sooooooo many tours.
"Where to next, i ask thee?" Asked Kinmont, his horse stamping his hooves

"Hey old man, theres still plenty to discover, but who'll dare ride the Reiver way? Said the Reiver, as he sat a top his horse.
He gazed out into the far distance, a loch, a mountain range and breath taking views.
"If only people knew they have the power to change." Muttered the Reiver. He heard a scream of horse in the distance, he smiled, his heart filled with warmth, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath exhalling deeply..

"Ivanhoes still with us old man." Said the Reiver.
"Aye boy, i sense him also, its time to ride" added Kinmont. The Reiver nodded and spurred Pulteney.

They rode into the mist, whooping as they went, two Reivers riding the Highland way.

06/05/2023

A wee thought for Friday

06/05/2023

At times we don't have the best weather, but we have some of the most breath taking views and dedicated hardworking people, dedicated to bringing you the best. Yes i'm talking about the British Isles.

However the weather, you can be rest assured, many tour guides up and down our amazing islands, always work hard to bring you the best views. Along with the best stories and the best places to stay, eat and see. Our knowledge of our home is the greatest importance to us the guides, for you the visitor, the pilgirim or the descendant.

We guides work in all weathers to showcase our home. So if you prefer a coach tour, we have many or a lone Tour guide again we have many. Each and everyone of us let our personalities shine on to our jobs because lets face it, no one wants a boring experience.

So ask you the visitor, where to next? Let your imagination roll with the times.
Bannockburn, sherwood forest, Loch lomond Tintangel? Just a few amongst hundreds if not thousands of destinations.

Come let us take you on journey of discovery.

and many more.

Reive on and Reiver out.

05/05/2023

ArmstrongTours, goes above and beyonf to make your destination more memorable.
Today we ventured out Gelncoe with Beth and her husband.

She was open to ideas after seeing the isle of Iona. So I decided to take her to see the dramatic highlands of Glencoe. Telling her the story of the bloodiest massacre on British soil, the massacre of 1692. The betrayal and murder of 38 men women and children of the Macdonald clan.

.

23/04/2023

Will ArmstrongTours be there l? You bet ya. There can be only one. Of course the array of medieval weapons spikes the interest of the Lone Reiver and young guns.

I have nae paid a visit of yet but i should and i will.....

21/04/2023

I feel, I see, I hear to me it's my ability to connect with a past long gone through my imagination.

Whenever I go on an unexpected adventure, I get drawn into the world of the dead. Old buildings, old stories, I am in my element.

But when i get to go with someone that makes my adventure all the more awesome, its spellbinding, magical, to have someone see what I see, is what makes it more interesting.

There's one place I want to go and its Tintagel castle, home of the Pendragons (totally fictional.) In legend they are connected to the Arthurian legends.

"Who goes there?" A shaken voice came.
"Tis i the lone Reiver, I've come to seek counsel from the Pendragons' ' replied the Reiver.

The rope bridge dropped and the Reiver made his way over the little stretch of Atlantic ocean. Swaying with the rope bridge.

This is the lone Reivers adventure, come rain or shine, wind or snow. He rides the waves of adventure to the highest points of the land he calls home.

When was the last time you adventured out, to a ruin or a stately manor?

A long lost chapel with a mausoleum hidden in the depths of a spooky churchyard. Old stories of deadly disease wiping out whole entire towns. The eerie feeling of prickly skin as you walk where people suffered from these terrible occurrences.

You and only you have the power from within to make these visits magical, by using your imaginations.

Reive on and Reiver out.

14/04/2023

With 2023 Season now open, we're really excited here at ArmstrongTours. We've had many Visitors through our doors over the last five years, from many countries around the world.

We've covered areas as far south as cornwall and as far North as Eilean Donan. We've helped people fulfil their aspirations and dreams. Moat Brae and the story of JM Barrie AND Peter Pan.

The Armstrong Gathering of 2023 fast approaching, as with the last gathering of 2019 which was a rip roar success this year promises to be so.

We can take you on a journey of discovery, discover this unique Island that has thousands of years of history.

Down the dark narrow streets of Edinburgh, learn of Burke and Hare the grave robbers.

Or learn of savings bank Museum, where did you yours account come from? Or visit the great heights of Ben Nevis.

Come to Gilnockie tower and learn of the age of the Reivers or Abbotsford house and learn of Sir Walter Scott and his great many works of Literature.

Whatever your aspirations are we can help you explore this unique island.

You can call us on 07712856101 or email us here on facebook. You can also find us on TripAdvisor.

13/04/2023

56 likes needed and am at my first 1000 likes milestone. It took a while, but a gentle reminder from an old mentor of mine better late than never..

The Reiver watches the Horizon, as his faithful nod his head and sighs.

"Where to next buddy?" the Reiver asks his friend..

Share the hell out of this page.....

09/04/2023

No words. Just pride i overcame a fear and started to ride the Reiver Way.....

09/04/2023

A visit here is well over due. Peaceful and tranquil as i sip my coffee and smell the morning air....

We’re all getting ready for the at Traquair tomorrow. Only 5,349 eggs left to hide in the maze! 🐣At Traquair House tomorrow from 11am - check our website for details www.traquair.co.uk 🪺 hunt

09/04/2023

Remember THIS! 🖤

09/04/2023

"Aye the Tarset" grimmaced Kinmont turning to the Reiver. "I Remember it well" he finished.

Date: 30th August 1583, the brigand and mercenary, Kinmont Willie Armstrong ahead of 300 Armstrongs charged into the Tarset Bairn. Sacking eight dwellings, killing six people and riding off with hindsight and Cattle.

The Tarset Bairn is an area inhabited by Dodds, Charltons, Robsons and headleys on the English side. They lived in bastle houses, which are fortified farm houses. Much different to defensive tower houses, which were predominant on the Scottish side. Most famous being black middens bastle house.

It wasnae the last time they'd seen our Willie, ten years later 1593 three years before his capture after truce day. He charged into the tarset again this time ahead of Thousand men. Now we need to remember that wardens often exeggerated the numbers when writing their reports. So would add a zero, so they could get the attention of the central goverments.

Kinmont and his band of broken outlaws sacked the whole area. Lifting two thousand head of cattle burning and ransacking the whole area, with £300 in hindsight and money.

Worth a visit. Windswept and peaceful now but back 500 years ago. Would've been very populated.

The gems are the best....