Gilnockie Tower

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Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie is one of the most celebrated of all the Border reivers and he was hanged for dressing better than a King. The golden tassels on Johnnie’s hat so affronted the stroppy teenage James V that he had the folk hero and his men strung up from the trees at Carlanrig in 1530. Of course, it was about much more than that, with Johnnie’s power such that he was reputed to be levying protection money as far away as Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. But Armstrong, the youngest son of the Laird of Mangerton, reckoned that he’d never robbed in Scotland as he tried to talk his way out of the tricky situation. However, when the Regent saw how finely Armstrong and his gang were dressed, he’d said to have uttered the famous words: “What wants yon knave that a King should have.” His fate was sealed.
Gilnockie Tower is an impressive grey stone tower that stands in the hamlet of Hollows a couple of miles from Canonbie on the west bank of the river Esk and it is open all year round for visitors. It’s the only habitable Armstrong tower left. Johnnie’s grave marker is at Teviothead and there’s a memorial to him in the old graveyard opposite Teviothead church.
James V also had Adam Scott of Tushielaw ‘The King of Thieves’ killed during his clampdown on the Border clans. Gilnockie is also home to the Clan Armstrong Centre. http://gilnockietower.com/

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