Armstrong 

The earliest reference to an Armstrong in Liddesdale occurs rather late - in 1376 - considering how prolific and powerful the name was to become in this area. Legend has it that the heroic progenitor of the Armstrongs, Fairbairn, an armour bearer of a king of Scotland, saves the king by lifting him with one arm onto his own horse after the king is unseated in battle. However, this legend is given too late a context; the name is not likely to have originated in Scotland with the rescue of a mediaeval king when it had for so long been a family name south of the border.

From Liddesdale the Armstrongs expanded into Annandale and Eskdale. In about 1425 John, brother of Armstrong of Mangerton in Liddesdale, built Hollows Tower near the river bank. The well-preserved ruin is called Gilnockie today.

In the time of Johnie Armstrong it was said that three thousand of his name, all mounted, were in virtual control of the debatable land. The English Warden of the Border, Lord Dacre, attacked and set fire to Hollows Tower in 1528, but the Armstrongs simply retaliated by burning Netherby. It was James V who surrounded Johnnie Armstrong and thirty six horsemen and had them hanged.

When Henry VIII invaded Scotland in 1542 James’ army was routed at Solway Moss, many preferring to surrender tamely rather than to fight for so unpopular a king. Perhaps this contributed to the posthumous reputation of Armstrong as a patriot who might have held the border against the English if James V had not executed him. In fact he was a thief and a blackmailer.

Before the century was out another Armstrong of the Gilnockie branch, William of Kinmont Tower, was ambushed during a truce and carried off to the castle of Carlisle. In 1596 the Scottish warden, Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch made a surprise attack and rescued him. A few years later the union of crowns brought peace to the borders. The Armstrongs turned to more peaceful pursuits than reiving.