A7: Historic Visitor Route -Anglo Scottish Border

27/09/2022

https://www.wapakdailynews.com/news/armstrong-family-visits-scottish-border-on-50th-anniversary/article_3af7edc4-3e11-11ed-994b-c7a35e7f0ee6.html

03/09/2022

04/07/2022

on this in the Anglo-Scottish Border 󠁧󠁢󠁳

We have 'Ole Glory' once again, proudly on the high mast top

The flagpole is adjacent to the ancestral home, , and we would like to support and celebrate in this year 2022.

from your friends at Gilnockie Tower to all in the on this great American day!

Armstrong Micro Museum and Genealogy Research Center Armstrong Air & Space Museum Armstrong Family Heritage Page

28/06/2022

The A7: The Anglo-Scottish Borders Historic Visitor Route
This historic route between Edinburgh and Carlisle is 92 miles and well worth the drive. It offers a lovely mix of historic sites and beautiful scenery.
The links below give more detail of the route. This article will highlight the larger towns and attractions.
https://www.total911.com/great-roads-a7-carlisle-uk/
https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/tours/driving-road-trips/routes/planner/borders-historic-route.
Edinburgh: The Historic capital of Scotland and home of majestic Edinburgh Castle.
The A7 starts and ends at the east end of Princes Street in Edinburgh. It crosses North Bridge; The Royal Mile then goes through Edinburgh’s Old Town. It eventually passes under the old Edinburgh-Carlisle railway viaduct.
Newtongrange: Home of the National Mining Museum
Galashiels:
Selkirk: Formerly Selkirkshire. One of the oldest Royal Burghs in Scotland and site of the earliest settlements in what is now the Scottish Borders.
Home of Lochcarron Weavers…weaving and designing tartan for more than 100 years. They are known around the world as the weaver of Clan tartan material. Stop in for a coffee and cake.
Hawick: Location of the Borders Textile Tower-house that displays fabric and knitwear from many well-known designers. Johnston’s of Elgin’s Hawick Mill produces fine cashmere products.
Teviotdale: The location of the murder, and burial, of legendary Reiver Johnnie Armstrong ( Johnnie of Gilnockie ) and several of his men, by King James V in 1530. This is hallowed ground to Armstrongs. Unfortunately, the footprint of Johnnie’s resting place in Caerlanrig has been somewhat reduced due to controversy of ownership.

Langholm: The heart of the Borders. This area is rich in history as the Clans and Border Reivers were notorious here for a few hundred years. Langholm Castle was a tower built for the Armstrong family during the early 16th century. A large part of the south gable of the castle survives. It is situated on the meeting of the River Esk and Ewes.Neil Armstrong visited Langholm in 1972 and acknowledged it as his ancestral home. He was made the first Freeman of Langholm. Langholm honours it’s history and culture with annual events such as Common Riding.
Canonbie: Home of 500 year old Gilnockie Tower- Clan Armstrong Centre and Reiver Centre. This was built by legendary Reiver Johnnie Armstrong ( Johnnie of Gilnockie ) around 1520. This historic building houses the Armstrong Museum as well as a display honouring Neil Armstrong. He visited the Tower in 1972 during his visit to the Border.
Longtown: One of England’s most northern towns. It is home to the largest sheep market in England.
Carlisle: A bustling large town/small city. From the Carlisle Train Station one can get most anywhere in the UK, including to most airports. Hadrians Wall ( named after the Roman Emperor) was built in 122 AD and is 112 km ( 72 miles ) in length. Carlisle Castle was constructed in the 1100’s. Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is nearby.

25/06/2022

ARMED FORCES DAY AT GILNOCKIE TOWER.
The White Ensign - The flag of the Royal Navy recognised around the world. This flag flies on all Royal Navy ships and shore establishments , government buildings and exhibition centres wherever there is a Royal Navy presence.. This is being flown on the prominent flag pole because the Royal Navy is the senior service within the UK armed forces.
The RAF Flag - Known within the RAF as 'The Roundal' . This flag will be found in exactly the same circumstances as the White Ensign. If there is a RAF presence within a building or establishment, this flag will be flown.
The Army Flag.- This is slightly different from the other two. Most Army Regiments have their own flag, but 'The Army Flag', which is being flown at Gilnockie Tower represents all Army regiments, collectively.

14/06/2022

https://www.total911.com/great-roads-a7-carlisle-uk/

07/06/2022

In line with our flag flying procedures here at Gilnockie Tower in the South of Scotland we send to our Western Australian friends our sincere best wishes.
The W A State colour is being flown on your special day in recognition of our close relationship with our many visitors from that airt.
From the home of the Armstrong family and Gilnockie Tower we hope you 'hev a richt guid' day. If you are in the area please pop in and see us or:
Follow us on www.gilnockietower.co.uk and www.theborderreivertrail.co.uk.

25/05/2022

Visit Gilnockie Tower for an introduction to 16th Century Border Life. Take a tour of the tower, chat to our guide, take an audio tour and learn about the history of the Armstrong Clan and the infamous Border Reivers.

Enjoy refreshments in the Johnnie Armstrong tearoom and browse the gift shop stocked with books, textiles, and local artifacts..

During May... children go FREE.. ! Activities available to inspire the young mind.

And if time, take to the road and enjoy a leisurely drive/cycle around the Border Reiver Trail 60 and discover history in the raw. www.theborderreivertrail.co.uk .

18/04/2022

10/04/2022

Today, we completed our preparations for the reopening of the third floor of Gilnockie Tower with the renaming of the room as 'The Neil Alden Armstrong Room' in honour of Neils historic visit to Langholm, and Gilnockie Tower, near to Canonbie on the 11th March 1972.
Why not pop along and see us, take an exciting journey back into the 16th century.
We are open 7 days a week, 10.00am until 4.00pm.

10/04/2022

Over the weekend 12th and 13th March the Gilnockie Tower will receive visitors from way back in the 16th century. They will be dressed in the attire from that far off period, as well as exhibiting the weapons they would have utilised for their survival. Those clothes, armour and tools of life will be explained to interested visitors.
The onsite Reiver Dr will also be on hand, and he will be able and willing to listen to any medical procedures you may need, as well as give you a hair cut, both at the same time!
The group are tasked to talk to tower visitors to help bring back to life a time in Border life where day to day life was in many cases valueless.
Please take a few moments over the weekend to indulge in a wee holiday, way back, 500 years and more, visit Gilnockie Tower!
The kids will love the journey.
We are open 11.00am until 3.00pm.
Hot drinks available.

10/04/2022

We would like to welcome you to Gilnockie Tower when we open for the season on the 1st April next. We have installed new signage to make your arrival as pleasant and easy as we possibly can.
Follow the A7 to Canonbie. Then the Clan Armstrong Centre signs direct to Gilnockie Tower.
We look forward to welcoming you to out 16th century tower.

10/04/2022

The A7 is a major road, partly a trunk road in the United Kingdom, that connects Edinburgh in Central Scotland to Carlisle in North West England. The A7 meets the M6 motorway close to Carlisle, which runs south to the north west, Midlands and south of England. However, the A702 road, which runs further to the north east, and the A74 (M) south, provide a quicker alternative and serve as the main link between Edinburgh and the M6.