Johnnie Armstrong and the Border Reivers

Johnnie Armstrong and the Border Reivers

Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie was once one of the most popular, powerful, and feared clan chiefs in the Scottish borders. However, after his execution in 1530 by order of James V, Clan Armstrong have been without a chief for over 450 years. The Border Reivers were a band of raiders along the Scottish-English border from […]

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Border Reivers-Kinmont Willie Armstrong

Border Reivers-Kinmont Willie Armstrong

The capture and rescue of Kinmont Willie Armstrong brought together three of the most colourful characters in the history of the Border Reivers. The impasse that existed between Sir Walter Scott, probably the most notable person to live on the sixteenth century Border, and Thomas Lord Scrope, English West March Warden, is a story of a clash of personalities of awesome proportions. Kinmont Willie? He was lost in the diplomatic wrangling. His capture changed nothing. He went on to reive until his death in about 1603.

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Stewart Stamp Series Issued by Royal Mail

Stewart Stamp Series Issued by Royal Mail

A new series of stamps by the Royal Mail have been issued, depicting the Stewart monarchs who ruled Scotland between 1406 and 1603, the year of the Union of the Crowns. The series starts with James I (1406-1437) and stops at James VI (1567-1603) who went on the become the king of England, uniting to […]

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The Wardens of the Marches

The Wardens of the Marches

The relationship between Scotland and England wasn’t always as amicable as it is today.  From the late 13th century to the 16th century, Scotland and England were constantly at war with each other.  This created a lawless environment where crime soared, people from both sides of the border would live more like outlaws, taking advantage […]

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Thomas the Rhymer

Thomas the Rhymer

Thomas Learmonth from Ercildoune (now Earlston), better known as Thomas the Rhymer was a 13th century Laird, poet and a supposed prophet. Legend tells us how Thomas the Rhymer went out walking one day and fell asleep beneath a tree on the side of the Eildon Hills. He awoke to find a shining woman sitting […]

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