Gilnockie Tower

About

Gilnockie Tower is a stunning example of a Scottish pele tower. Built some 500 years ago, it was home to Johnnie Armstrong, a notorious border reiver. In 1530 this powerful chieftain was hanged by a Scottish king, his story romanticised by Walter Scott. Gilnockie Tower has five floors, including vaulted chamber, banqueting hall and spiral staircase. The entrance stone is thought to be two thousand years old. Once a roofless ruin, the structure has been completely refurbished and is open as a clan and visitor attraction. Gilnockie Tower houses reiving artefacts and the world’s largest collection of Armstrong archives. The Clan Armstrong Trust Museum, originally housed on the Lodge Walk, Langholm is now closed, and all of the original displays have been moved to GILNOCKIE TOWER, Canonbie, DG14 0XD on the Anglo-Scottish Border. Please follow the brown signs to the Clan Armstrong Centre between Langholm and Canonbie on the A7 Carlisle to Edinburgh visitor route.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes