The original name of the Tower was the
Holehouse the House by the Hole (the quarry from which the stone for the building was
extracted). This was abbreviated to Hollas by local usage.The original name of the Tower was the
Holehouse the House by the Hole (the quarry from which the stone for the building was
extracted). This was abbreviated to Hollas by local usage.
Listed as Gilnockie in 1937 in the Register of Sasines (the land registry) and as Gilnockie Tower in the Royal Commissions Survey of 1981 which states 'this oblong tower-house of 16th century date stands to a height of 4 storeys and a garret and bears a beacon-stance on the SSW gable. Attributed to the Armstrongs.' Gilnockie Tower was acquired for the Clan in 1992 and the Clan Armstrong Centre and Museum was moved there from Brieryshaw, Langholm. Guided tours take place from April to October at 2.30pm. It is advisable to turn up within 15 minutes of this time to avoid disappointment. There is only one tour per day. If you wish to visit at that time on a particular date it is in your best interests to email or ring either of the telephone numbers below to confirm your plans.
See the view from the Tower top and learn how the reivers lived - walk upon the rich Armstrong Tartan Carpet in the Clan Room - see the ‘First Foot’ Moon Display.
Largest and highest (60 ft up) Armstrong Library and
2-star Museum. See reiver Willie 'Redcloak' Bell rescuer of Kinmont Willie
Armstrong from Carlisle Castle.
Why - the whole place is a Museum !
For Tower Tours email ted.armclan@btinternet.com or ring UK 013873 71876 or 07776 256970 or 01389 600453. If you call from outside the UK drop the leading 0 and add +44.
The Clan Armstrong Centre is a registered Charity No 104156 (Scotland) holding a Certificate of Incorporation issued in 1987.The Tower can be accessed by turning right off tha A7 at Canonbie when travelling north. For directions refer to the map.
Armstrong memorabilia can be purchased from the Tower or through Country Convenors or via the link to the Clan Armstrong Centre.
Now Scottish Tourist Board "Commended"
Willy "Redcoat" Bell
In 1596, not having much else to do, Willy was one of the leading lights in rescuing 'Kinmont Willie' from Carlisle Castle one dark and stormy night. William Armstrong o' Kinmont - to give him the name he was known by, was wrongly imprisoned. He was the great grandson of Thomas Armstrong, the 5th Laird of Mangerton.
It took James Bell, a descendant of his, four years to make everything he was wearing.