Scottish Border Reivers and King James V

Who were the border reivers? Who was Johnny Armstrong? Why did James V care?
Scottish history tour guide Bruce Fummey tells the story of Johnny Armstrong from the Clan Armstrong Centre at Gilnockie Tower
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Scotland History Tours is here for people who want to learn about Scottish history and get ideas for Scottish history tours. I try to make videos which tell you tales from Scotland's past and give you information about key dates in Scottish history and historical places to visit in Scotland. Not all videos are tales from Scotland's history, some of them are about men from Scotland's past or women from Scotland's past. Basically the people who made Scotland. From April 2020 onward I've tried to give ideas for historic days out in Scotland. Essentially these are days out in Scotland for adults who are interested in historical places to visit in Scotland.
As a Scottish history tour guide people ask: Help me plan a Scottish holiday, or help me plan a Scottish vacation if your from the US. So I've tried to give a bit of history, but some places of interest in Scotland as well.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

See my video about Kinmont Willie at kzbin.info/www/bejne/laDPd2OKerx-jdU

[@chrisball3778]

I love that the reivers from opposite sides of the border sometimes refused to fight eachother... "There's no way I'd kill or maim my fellow man just because some rich ponce from London or Edinburgh says so... but if it were a serious matter like stolen cattle, then that'd be quite a different question.... I'm a man of principle, after all."

[@joefoster8839]

They looked alike, they spoke the same. Scots caught by the English Warden would profess to being English and vice versa and Wardens couldn’t prove otherwise. Scots would raid Scots and raid English and vice versa. Scots and English would join to raid some one or other. A way of life for over 300 years.

[@canderoussnurd4265]

The most Scottish statement there is. “I don’t care if it’s been 700 years. Give us our cow back!”

[@janice506]

The Geordies actually sound more Scottish than anything remotely similar too English

[@davidoliver6105]

I'm a Clan Elliott, a boarder reiver living in the mountains of Virginia USA.

[@seanscott201]

this guy makes me laugh so hard he need more recognition!! he is telling a history that is undertold

[@taniakaratau5654]

I laugh so hard!!🤣😭🤣 Love him!!

[@russellnixon9981]

There is a fair amount of interpretation of history of this period, and from this presentation it has a bias against the English. One criticism is the lack of context,, there was no boarder at this time and the only loyalty was to your family name or kin. Most people of that time would have never travelled more than 15 miles of there birth place, so the concept of King and country would not have been known to them. The reality was it was easier to raid or steel cartel and crops than to grow them. This led the farmers to either flee or starve to death if they haden't been killed defending ther farm. This process of lawnss prevented any development in this region the next 200 years.

[@janice506]

@@russellnixon9981 it’s not biased against England it’s the truth & ad they say the truth hurts . The English were nasty people back then .

[@jeffhoyt5661]

My wife and I have made two trips from the States to the Borders to trace her family’s history, centered around Lauder, but also in Earlston, Kelso, Greenlaw, and Edinburgh. Beautiful country, and I love the people there.

[@aikidragonpiper71]

I'm an Armstrong all the way over here in the hills of Arkansas. They couldn't hang us all.

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

Good on yer mate. I`m an Armstrong all the way down under in Australia. - Invictus Maneo

[@jeepdickbirgade4979]

Invictus maneo -which line do you decend

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

Since you asked; I knew of the Border Reivers from a very early age. and at 75 I`m already quite an elderly man. Our family/clan history, and motto - Invictus Maneo (I Remain Unvanquished) were detailed to me by my father - far away from that land of our fore bearer Fair bairn who first took on the name Armstrong in the 13th. Century. The Original Family Name: McGillilaidair. Thanks to my dear father I also grew up with tales of other Scottish heroes and villains; McGregor, Wallace, Bruce , McDougal`s, Campbell`s, and Douglas's colouring my youthful dreams at night. Thanks Bruce for your edifying programmes - please keep them coming.

[@danahegna4442]

My people - (currently heidless) Clan Little - shared the steep dales north and west of Langholm, in Dumfriesshire, with the Armstrongs and Beatties, and were solid allies of the Armstrongs. And some of the Littles were with Johnnie that fateful day, 25 July 1530, and thus, were hanged along side him. And we had supported the Stuarts since the reign of King James (Stewart) I. Well, then, enough of that!

[@thomaselliott1494]

Fortiter et recte Boldly and rightly

[@garriemchale5788]

@@danahegna4442 Thanks for a bit more history I didn't know, I'm an Armstrong near Edinburgh but friends with the Little's over here funnily enough

[@garriemchale5788]

Thanks Charles I didn't know all that bout our great family name

[@nathanarmstrong7636]

Where do u live Charles ?

[@Sabrowsky]

I like the "gangster" angle of explaining medieval society. After all, when not at war, banditry was the standard employment of the medieval military man

[@chrisarmstrong4260]

I was fortunate enough to have visited Gilnockie while touring the area during my clan reunion in 2017. It was so nice to see it in sunshine on your vid. It was very typically, grey and drizzling when we visited. I stumbled upon your channel earlier today and have now lost an afternoon...time VERY well spent. Tapadh leat airson na sgeulachdan iongantach seo.

[@nicholasbethell2921]

The Steel Bonnets by George MacDonald Fraser is a great read on the subject.

[@chemtrooper1]

I’m halfway done and it’s a fascinating read.

[@TheAntipropagandist]

Being a Scots Irish Bell it's great to hear about the history of the Reivers!!! Bruce is fantastic at narrating and teaching the history

[@smallfeet4581]

off the irish bells too , as far as ive got in family tree my great grannie was a bell from belfast

[@michaelantonella4781]

I'm a direct decendant of this man.

[@andyleighton6969]

The best bit of James V1/1 supressing the borderers is that not that many years before, when Elizabeth had finally taken an axe to his Mother - about which he was understandably unhappy, but in no position to take on the English state - he had utilised them in an undeclared, implausibly deniable, border war instructing them to "take what you can out of England". Gratitude, a short lived commodity in politics!

[@Alex-cs7rq]

Armstrong here really appreciate you sharing the story of my ancestors :)

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevearmstrong8864]

Visited Gilnockie Tower last weekend, as an Armstrong its great to see this video which helped to further explain the history of a fascinating place and time.

[@markshepherd3632]

As somebody from the North east of England particularly the Tyneside area. Those border Reiver names are the names of my friends and family.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Of course

[@sfpschmidt]

Who could ever imagine a politician (royal or otherwise), to be in league with a criminal (royal or otherwise)

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Shocking right?

[@danielalexandermclachlanga3781]

Sarcee

[@joefoster8839]

We Fosters/Forsters were reivers on both sides of the border. Intermarried with the Armstrong’s and allied with the Hume clan. Cousins with the Fenwicks to this day.

[@gregorytaylor3146]

Your cousins make good fishing rods!

[@markshepherd3632]

Sounds like the names of my mates on the housing estate in Newcastle

[@steveforster9764]

A Northumberland born Forster now living in Canada proud of my Northumberland Reiver heritage

[@ReeseJamPiece.]

My clan, the Bells, all lived on this tiny bit of land with over 30 families living there. They even had a phrase for them, 'as numerous as the Bells of Middlebie'. They were part of the Devils Dozen, a list of 13 clans seen as the strongest and active riding clans. The church they used is still there in Dumfriesshire and I hope to visit it someday. Border Reiver heritage is heavily overlooked imo and deserves more attention. Great video!

[@descendantsofgrayskull1914]

Hello possible ancestor lol

[@joshualittle877]

I'm desended from the Clan Little we are from Dumfriesshire and Mickledale as well.

[@smallfeet4581]

my great grannie was a bell , interested ti know the church as i know a good part of dumfriesshire , i think i read the bells were in the west marches area

[@joshualittle877]

@@smallfeet4581 That's correct so did my Clan the Littles..My father and Uncle have visited the town of Bentpath where our family originated and almost all the businesses in town and gravestones bare the name Little.

[@peterbell4069]

Another place added to my list to visit

[@zachjohnson2053]

My family was actually one of the border clans. Clan Johnstone of dumfries and Galloway. I dream to visit my family’s home one day

[@janislee5206]

I'm a Johnstone descent. I, too, would love to visit Scotland. It's a long way from Texas, though.

[@zachjohnson2053]

@@janislee5206 a long way from Kentucky as well

[@michelleboner2787]

Clan Johnstone descendant here in Tennessee.

[@roderickprideaux7827]

My grand father (mother’s side) was a Scott from Edinburgh and quite often told us kids about the Scott clan and the border revivers .

[@brandyjean7015]

My Great Grams was an Armstrong. A fierce old lady, from her wheelchair, she taught me how to make biscuits & gravy. When I was 5.

[@joann5271]

My family, The Shaws, came from the lowlands, and I am excited about learning more about the lowlands. 😊

[@charliehogg1639]

Went back in my family history,both my dad's and mum's family were cattle raiders who both hated each other, the hoggs and the Reids

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye, no every marriage goes well😜

[@lorielliott4529]

My dad loves telling me about the Elliotts getting cursed for their reiving 😅

[@rorychisholm8863]

Like others here I read Fraser's Steel Bonnets so knew about the cross border clans and the riding clans. Man y've years of material with them alone. Glad to hear Kinmont Wullie's coming. I'm dying to do the line .... but nae spoilers

[@bobbell4461]

I am an exile from Langholm. My paternal grandmother was an Armstrong. I often refer to myself as a Borderer rather than Scots and have nothing in common with my fellow Scots further North. People visiting Scotland head for the Central Belt and the Highlands and miss out on the great history of the Borderland never more epitomised in the great summer riding festivals, the very best of which is Langholm Common Riding on the last Friday of July, though I am sure the good follk of Hawick and Selkirk will have some to say about that.

[@ianjohnston1391]

Clan johnston boarder Reivers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☠️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@fs3743]

Such a good voice

[@alexanderarmstrong3668]

Great Vid. The Forsters of Adderstone and Bamburgh play a large role in our Armstrong Family Tree. Sir Thomas Forster 1 c1385 is the progenitor of Clan Thomson without the "P" and he was the Grandfather of Thomas Armstrong c.1440. Johnny Armstrongs son John brn 1500 is where our branch stems from . He John was engaged with Anne Featherstonhaugh and he produced 2 children by her before he was killed. Both Johns Jnr's children were raised by Sir Thomas Forster V of Bamburg under the protection of the Warden of the middle March.

[@dannymarlin9150]

Johnny Armstrong was my 13th great grandfather ❤

[@trevorjohnston777]

As a proud descendant of the Johnston Clan, I am happy that the borders are getting talked about. They seem to be glanced over by many who seek to only focus on the Highlands and their culture. There is lots of good content available to make videos from the Borders such as the "Battle of Dryfe Sands" (May be a bit biased there as a Johnston). Also, Im wondering if you've ever made a journey down to the Devils Beef Tub, where the Johnston's would hide their.....recently acquired cattle.

[@shaylajohnston8594]

Aye this Johnston is Ready for Bruce to tell us of the Devil's Tub and my infamous Reiver ancestors, those who came after Ultred the Bold...all the John and James Johnstons who were banished from Dumfries (and went to found a slavery emancipation community in Western Pennsylvania, United States). You make me proud with these videoes! Please do one on the Johnstons and their Lockerbie Licks!

[@jlj8808]

Finally did my DNA and ancestry. I was shocked I didn't know really where we came from, some thought we were Swedish, Johnson name, but nope proud to find that I'm a Johnston, border land johnston. It is very exciting to now be learning more and more about my heritage. Awesome to see see you guys on here.

[@jlj8808]

Lol, watch out for the treacherous Maxwells!!

[@jameselliott4640]

I have long known about the border reivers being an Elliott (Elliot Eliot) several ways to spell the name. I’m proud of my clan & our reiving historical exploits. Would be great to have Bruce do a wee film about the Eliot clan. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ianarmstrong5607]

I am an Armstrong living just outside of Sydney Australia. I visited Gilnokie Tower last October. I heard the same story there. I'm glad to see it covered by yourself. Continue the good work.

[@Calum_S]

I knew about the reivers, but then I grew up in Northumberland and have read The Steel Bonnets by George MacDonald Fraser.

[@colinp2238]

Read about Rob Roy MacGregor, not the Hollywood version.

[@flashcad8185]

GMF's "The Steel Bonnets" is an excellent book. Another good one is "The Reivers" by Alistair Moffat.

[@emseebe]

You sir, are an amazing storyteller.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thank you kindly!

[@davidjohnston7512]

First generation Aussie here,descended from the Johnston clan and my grandmother’s Bell clan.

[@Jonnykrav71]

You are a marvelous history presenter. Great cadence, tone, and content. You should be on television.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thanks

[@nathanarmstrong7636]

Thank you for this.

[@into_the_void]

I'm from india ... I have no idea why I even watch these vids but I enjoy em very much 👍🏼👍🏼

[@danahegna4442]

"Hang together, or we'll hang apart!" My people, Clan Little, lived at Meikledale Valley, up the Ewesdale (on road A7), about 1/3 of the way between Langholm and Hawick. There is a memorial there recognizing the previous existence of the Little's Tower House. We were known especially for our abilities on horseback. We were trusted, dependable allies of the Armstrongs, and so, were among the 30-some males hanged by King Stuart V, on 25 July 1530.

[@drewcifer4281]

CONCEDO NULLI my distant relative!!!

[@nikkigraham7494]

Love! This is my home you're visiting today! ❤

[@michaelwhite8031]

Did you say you were related to Montrose my favourite historical character ? I have a few Graham's related to me.

[@nikkigraham7494]

@@michaelwhite8031 not exactly sure on the Graham origin sadly. All I know is they were bad buggers!😅..but my granny was an Armstrong of langholm.

[@michaelwhite8031]

@@nikkigraham7494 l am a Sasanak . Not sure how to spell that. I had my DNA done and a ton of boarder names came out. My great, great, great grandfather was an Ellet (Elliot), l have Haxtons, Turnbuls, Dixons and even a Graham and an Armstrong. They must have been prolific breaders lol. Anyway take care !

[@michaelwhite8031]

@Savannah Loughlin very interesting thanks. My mother's family had the surname Meagher and were Catholic. One of her ancestors, Captain James Meagher was hung after the battle of the Boyne. I seem to have a lot of members of the family that were hung on my English and Irish side. I also have two offices called Durston who were hung by Judge Jefferies after the battle of Sedgemoor . I think it is amazing that my ancestors on both sides of the family would probably have hated one another.

[@nikkigraham7494]

@@michaelwhite8031 thats a name I have not come across here on the border! Interesting story..No doubt we'd be related somewhere down the line!

[@TheToonMonkey]

Sweet. Something to watch on the Metro!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I can't get a signal in ma hoose and you're getting it on the Metro?

[@TheToonMonkey]

@@ScotlandHistoryToursI'd say it's because of the extraordinary levels of investment Newcastle gets from the government, but.....

[@helencarpenter9158]

Thank you for this video 🤗. I live very close to Gillnockie Pele Tower in the Debatable Lands. My family are from Reivers from near Hawick. It is frightening to think about what life was like back then, lawless. This rich history is still in our blood today , a collective psyche. I have recently visited Johnny Armstrongs Mass grave. King James was never trusted in the Borders again. Hello to all you Border Reivers out there, English and Scots. 🖐.BTW, I love your videos.

[@pauljohnstone6129]

Always interested to learn about the border reivers. Paul Johnstone

[@froseph2012]

After watching a few of your videos on the histories of the motherland and my ancestry. I want to thank you and admire your passion. You're so in depth and within the integrity of what is to be known of what was current within the setting of your discussion. I love your precense, your intuition, and just yourself as not only a Tour Guide, but a Scottish Historian. Thank you very much. I want watch more of your discussions!

[@gregcarter3843]

That’s definitely my bunch. Hannay and Thomson.

[@YewrinePish]

My family clan is a border clan. Small. Makes it easy to trace the history back.

[@chickenlampbrent]

The first time I even heard about border reiving was when I read George MacDonald Fraser's The steel bonnets. History they never taught us about in school, and after finishing the book I could see why!

[@dvanuitert]

Thank you! My great grandmother is an Armstrong and we hail from John, Christopher, William and so forth, through their immigration from Ireland to Pennsylvania. I love telling my grandchildren our history and look forward to visiting our ancestral lands. Thanks again!

[@felix-tp2qi]

My mother is an armstrong, we hail from the same line.

[@herpderp9430]

Found this after genealogy and research on my DNA and surname places me as an descendant of the Johnstone reiver clan and the Jute-German blooded Saxons that came before them in the 11th century. Interesting stuff!

[@kerrick7621]

Some love for the Border Clans, great one Bruce! I descend from Reivers, Clan Ker of Fernihurst (opposed to the Cessford branch), they were Wardens of the Middle Marches.

[@annmackay5786]

Same here! ❤❤❤Ditto on your comments!

[@hachwarwickshire292]

I worked with a lad from up there where the family still had land .... He told me all the history of the area (I remember a little). However from what he told me "Ya might be wrong" ! You see from his ancestor's perspective ... there was no border. Talking about one was akin to telling an Indian (Native American) that you can buy and own land. They just didn't recognise what you were talking about. Edinburgh and London thought there was a border. The locals .... were not convinced there was

[@malicant123]

The BBC made a historical drama about fictional Kerr clan called Tje Borderers back in the 60s. Most of it is lost, but some episodes can be found on KZbin with some searching.

[@moto_scotland]

Fabulous insight into the Reivers and the Crown! Loved this! ❤

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thanks so much!

[@CorporalNapa]

Last time I was this early Norham castle hadn't been battered by Mons Meg yet..wee suggestion for you there 😉

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Noted

[@Renegade_Melungeon]

I love it!! Thank you! He was indeed wedged between two big crime families!! Amen

[@georgeRVI]

Growing up I knew that my dad’s ancestors came from Scotland but didn’t hear or maybe didn’t listen to anything about their Scottish history. My great grandfather was a Rutherford from the border region, his wife an Armstrong and my grandmother was a McWilliam. You’ve got me hooked. Thanks! Mom? She was Welsh.

[@zhubajie6940]

That's why I believe in nurture over nature. Who knew a descendant from that gangster family, born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, population 9800, would be the first to walk to walk on the moon.

[@AlexdrinaArmstrong94]

As an Armstrong, I appreciate this video!! It's hard to find a lot of information on the Border Reivers. People always talk about the Highlanders people also don't realize they were Lowlanders Tapadh leat!!

[@TimMeushaw]

Timely video, I just started reading "The Debatable Lands" by Graham Robb. First I'd learned of these Border clans and first I'd heard the term "reivers." Cheers!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Another one coming tomorrow morning

[@robarmstrong322]

Johnny is a hero to us Armstrongs.. its in the blood and we have always served in militaries...go back even further and the original Armstrong, Siward the Norseman became an Earl of Northumbria

[@jimarmstrong3361]

Thanks from Texas for the video on Johnnie Armstrong, Bruce. Looking forward to the next one on the Kinmont. May I suggest, while you're at Gilnockie Tower, you'll follow up with a video about Neil Armstrong's visit to the Muckle Toon of Langholm in 1972.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I'm not there any more. I was there at the weekend

[@geowidman]

Thank you for more excellent reiver culture understanding, and kudos to Kev McGrane too!

[@Herries8325]

my parents always told me that our family were boarder reivers ;- Armstrongs

[@brianthomas8125]

This helps explain why my maternal grandfather's Banks Lowland ancestors fled for the US in the early 1600's Before and during that time, there was endless skullduggery that upended the area.

[@canderoussnurd4265]

I’m glad to see some love for the border reivers. I’m descended from clans Little, Scott and Hall myself. In all honesty I can understand why they lived the way they did. It’s easy to rocmantasize the highland clans and damn the border landers until you remember that it’s easier to fight an enemy that has to travel deep into Scotland than it is to fight an army that’s right next door. Especially considering that the border clans in a way had their own unique culture that wasn’t Scottish or English but mixed. It’s shocking that they never attempted to form their own kingdom. I’m glad to see this video and glad to finally get some explanation for my ancestors history that isn’t just “oh they were just fence sitting mercenaries”.

[@benjikeel3797]

Greetings from the north Georgia mountains! I've been to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Cant wait to return. in the meantime I'll listen to you story!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Enjoy

[@joprocter4573]

My grandfather was a Johnny armstrong of Tyrone NI

[@kathrynronnenberg1688]

I got interested in the Borders the long way round, via learning more about Roman Britain and Hadrian's Wall and the Old Kingdom of the North centered at Dumbarton. (Favorite reads: "Vanished Kingdoms, The Rise and Fall of States and Nations", by Norman Davies, and "The Edge of Empire", by Bronwyn Riley.) Then I picked up Rory Stewart's "The Marches" and Graham Robb's "The Debatable Land". There's also a series of historical mysteries set in Carlisle, featuring Elizabeth I's cousin Robert Carey, and a host of rowdy Armstrongs, Johnstons, Dodds, and Elliots, written by P.F. Chisholm.

[@mgtowrules1649]

I love the internet, You can find the best history teachers on it! Thank You!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😜

[@craiga5819]

Love to see videos about the borders. i've lived here all my life and the history runs very deep!

[@katiemoyer8679]

Yes I realized there were clans on the boarders, my ancestors were viewed as troublesome there, eventually some were shipped to colony.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye there was a lot of shipping going on

[@meredithelliott1563]

Another great video! Definitely knew about border clans and reivers. My great-grandfather Elliott was under the misapprehension that he was English (despite being born in Ontario). When the genealogist he hired in the 1920s uncovered Scottish border reivers instead, he burned the evidence. Very disappointing.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😂😂

[@kurtnixon2500]

I trust you will do the border family's justice in your up and coming mini documentries. I believe the border clans deserve alot more gratitude then most are willing to give. Clans / Family's have been defending that area for centuries it was the first line of defence for both countries. After being driven off there ancestoral land the reivers were sent to fight more wars in Ulster and other places. War has been in our blood for 1000s of years. Long live the Nixon's ⚔️🛡️ Invictus Maneo ! Nixon's are a Sept of the Armstrong Clan.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I'm not here to represent anyone

[@raydriver7300]

I love your stories, Bruce. Keep ‘em coming 🌞

[@johnjohnston2550]

Hello Bruce..greatly enjoy all your videos… Thought I’d send you a idea of another possible story…..I’m the product of two border clans. My mother was an Armstrong, and my father was a Johnston. When I was researching my family history, found out that the Johnston’s and Armstrong’s warred on each other for nearly a hundred years! Their feud made the famous American Hatfield/McCoy feud look like a picnic! And oh yeah, the Maxwell clan was involved in that also…Taking sides with the Armstrongs…Just an idea, thought I’d run it by you… Keep up the great work.

[@trevorjohnston777]

Hello cousin

[@adventurewithacamera]

Armstrongs, Aye! Fantastic presentation. Invictus Maneo!

[@brianhaw9398]

My mother's kin came to Canada from Scotland in 1850. My father's kin came to Canada from England the same year. You are a terrific storyteller. I wish the history teachers in school were anywhere near as interesting. Just found your channel recently. Immediate sub.🇨🇦👍

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thanks Brian

[@br4mble]

As someone from Newcastle I often think of Northern English history as; far enough from London to be forgotten and ignored but just close enough that we can't do our own thing. Love the video, comes across like you've put a lot of graft in it.

[@elspethmaclachlan8824]

Never thought of the Armstrong’s as a clan but yes did think of the Douglas’ that way

[@TheJdawg48]

Im hyped for the Kinmont Willie vid hopefully involves the carlisle jailbreak

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thin Lizzy

[@armstronggermany2995]

Congratulations Bruce, you have now precisely sussed my ambivalent attitude to kilt wearing SNP fanatics. The Highlanders aren't the only ones with long memories !

[@dorothymoorby5751]

I am an old scottish woman in Australia. I think you are as scottish as me!!!!!!! And you are funny I wish you had been my history teacher... I might have been smarter. I come from Edinburgh.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I'll be over in Australia doing some live shows in February to April Dorothy. Maybe see you there

[@benthetec]

Yes! So happy to see my my mother’s family progenitor, Johnnie of Gilnockie talked about on your channel. Love your content, sir!

[@markirving249]

Bruce are you going to do a video on The Battle of Dryfe Sands?

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Probably at some point

[@terraplane49]

June Tabor's album, " An echo of hooves" is a remarkable evocation of the period. The song " Hughie Grahame" is in my repertoire.

[@Gunshow0]

wooo! im an Elliott - from Australia haha

[@raymondosterbye4710]

Scottish history very interesting. Though I thought I was half Scotch, found out I was more English. These little border scuffles, mini-wars. The mortality rate was so high Scotland,

[@BDTStudio]

In working on our family ancestry, I found that Johnny Armstrong was my husband's 15th-great-uncle. I guess I have to stop rubbing it in that I am descended from Vikings, lol.

[@nancyd8114]

T the start of this video, you are standing in front of the Armstrong tower in New castle. I know this cause of the family history that my late father traced. My made name was Armstrong, I have been interested the Scottish history since finding this out.

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

Gilnockie Tower! I never got to see it, nor the Milholm Cross, both of my family Armstrong. However, I did see Hawick and it’s castle, Liddesdale, Langholm and Newscastleton. We nearly stayed!

[@8thLegio]

Another great video Bruce. Your content is amazing and I just love your humorous and light hearted approach. These vids help make my day better, and always put a smile on my face. Much love from Massachusetts!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

That makes me feel proper warm inside

[@saidahamelin3118]

Fabulous! Awaiting part 2. Delighted that you're still able to download. I was worried that with restrictions easing you'd be too busy with Summer tours. So, happy me!

[@par576]

I remember recommending you tell the story of Kinmont Willie. I look forward to it!

[@andyleighton6969]

It would have to be a three part series - he was a busy boy!

[@curtisarmstrong6521]

I loved the story..and have visited Gillnocki tower twice..and prowled around Mangerton...as well thank you.. Curtis Bruce of Armstrong

[@darrylarmstrong7909]

Hi Curtis. I am Darryl Curtis Armstrong. My brother is Bruce Armstrong. We all descend from a proud and powerful stock. I take hunbrage with the term gangsters as this was the lawless south of Scotland and might was the only law. I long to visit Glinockie Tower. Lucky you...

[@curtisarmstrong6521]

@@darrylarmstrong7909 Hi Darryl..nice to hear from you…I also am descended from a Bruce Armstrong…my father..yes it was a dream for me to go to Gillnocki…when I was 20 and then again 40 years later to the day..on my birthday…

[@nickthenoodle9206]

Always enjoyable. Reivers were said to be some of the very best light cavalry in Europe.

[@DBEtah]

My riding family, the Routledges, was not large enough to be a Clan. But we often rode with Clan Armstrong!

[@elizabethghent194]

Another brilliant video, great story telling, looking forward to next, Kinmont Willie. Thank you.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@macauleyirish1707]

Being a border lad who loves the common ridings, this video is brilliant, we have so much history in the south that so many dont realise. We were our own wild west

[@robbiek7986]

Loving your work!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Much appreciated!