Gathering 2003

I’ve just looked back at my Gathering report of 2001, where typically I started with a weather update! So… what better way to start off with a report of the weather this time! As usual it was hot in the South of England so we decided to break the journey and travel up part way on the Wednesday evening. This sounded a good idea when we arranged it but I had forgotten that this was a pretty important day in my life as it was RETIREMENT DAY! So in order to travel I had to break away from the end of the celebrations and offering none of the Constabularies between Sussex and Cambridge the opportunity to catch me over the limit! As the weather in previous years had been so inclement it was agreed that our good luck talisman would be to get our eldest daughter to attend in order to “bring the good weather with her”. Clare and Graham decided to do it the sensible way by flying up to Edinburgh and attacking from the rear. (I’ll let you know about the effects of the weather talisman later.)

We decided to split our four days between two centres, Canonbie first and last and Lockerbie in the middle two days. The Cross Keys at Canonbie is now the only hotel there. If you are ever visiting Gilnockie Tower it is reasonably priced and serves good food. Jane and I had a long chat with Ted on the Thursday afternoon (we had not seen each other for two years) and met at the Tower on Friday afternoon. This gave me an opportunity to mount up in the Clan Room the presentation plaque that we received from the City of Armstrong. (See article elsewhere in this edition)

We arrived at the Queens Hotel in Lockerbie late on Friday afternoon in preparation for the informal Gathering that evening. The establishment was under new management, this certainly showed in the cleanliness of the rooms and the standard of the cuisine.

It was nice to greet both old and new faces in the Crystal Room, swapping family history ditties and getting to know where everyone came from. The tour guides were issued so everyone would know where we were going and what we were going to see the next day. It had been decided that after the last Gathering tour that we would make a whole day of it and stop in Newcastleton to participate in local ales and food.

We arrived at Gilnockie Tower after moving in convoy from the Queens. Here we met up with others who had come from different directions and then worked out a car-sharing scheme. Bobbie and Cavell were more than happy to climb into Don’s Jag!, leaving Ted behind to “look after” the Tower and any casual visitors that arrived.

We made our first stop at Ettleton Cemetery. There are many Armstrongs buried here. (Scott remarked that he might well return this winter and note them down for our records. Brave man working there at that time and on that exposed site!) The obelisk of note is that of William of Sorbietrees who was murdered by the minister of Walton Parsonage

From there you can see Milholm Cross (our next visit) and Mangerton Tower across the valley. Milholm Cross has attracted some local interest recently with a proposal from a member of the Trust that the monument should be dismantled, put in the Trust Museum and a replica put in its place. This didn’t go down well with the locals! Milholm Cross is where, so the legend goes, Alexander’s (the second Laird of Mangerton) funeral pall was rested on its way to Ettleton Cemetery. However it is our strong belief that he was buried here (the Cross being a sword stuck into the ground) on a prominent buff overlooking Mangerton Tower on the other side of the valley.

We then journeyed to Mangerton Tower (or what’s left of it!). This was particularly exciting for those who came on the last Gathering as we were unable to visit it due to the Foot and Mouth epidemic.

After a careful drive backwards for some considerable distance we were able to turn round and head for Castleton Cemetery to view the obelisk of the Doctors Armstrong who did so much to bring paediatric help to children in London. As a result of a previous Gathering we had the memorial refurbished.

Knowing that Ron was one of the lead drivers, we decided this time rather than let him lead us off on a wild goose chase as he did last time we would break for lunch in Newcastleton!

Newcastleton has two hotels/pubs……next door to each other!! So as not to spend too long over lunch we democratically split into two with half going in one and the other half in the other one. The Grapes which Jane and I went into had only been recently completely gutted and renovated inside. It was quite impressive. We were collared by the owner and got into conversation about his facilities. Apparently he is having a Function Room built onto the back shortly - a possible venue for the next Gathering?

After being well sustained we made off for Hermitage Castle (somewhere else we couldn’t visit last time). An awesome, eerie building where De Soulis murdered Alexander. We experienced here our first rain, a short, sharp shower, but fortunately we had seen all we wanted to see. (When we got back to Gilnockie Ted said he had had no rain whatsoever!)

Our journey over the top of the hill was only punctuated by sheep on the road and a couple of mad Japanese tourists coming in the opposite direction! We then arrived at Carlenrig site of the infamous hanging of Johnie Armstrong and his followers. A memorial tablet is set in the wall of the churchyard and a stone reputedly marks the burial place of Johnie and his men.

We then retuned to the Tower, to complete our round trip, still capably in Ted’s hands!

By the time we were refreshed and had a good night’s sleep (a pleasant rain free day – the talisman was working!) it was time for the Gathering . We had greeted members who had arrived overnight and Scott was soon setting up his “mobile shop” to satisfy those who had not already bought everything the previous day. As members arrived they signed the visitors’ book which has many interesting entries over the years.

Time for lunch! The size of the salmon was enough for most people, but added to this there were beef, turkey and gammon. There were also a variety of salads, rolls and butter. The brave went back for a second helping by which time the salmon was looking extremely distressed! There were a variety of sweets to choose from, and this even defeated one participant who is reputed for his food intake.

Tea or coffee followed while we listened to Ted’s speech of welcome. He outlined our achievements during the past two years, especially the current membership of 1000. He indicated that he would be passing on more responsibility of the day to day running of the Association and the Tower to Nick and Scott so that he could concentrate on other matters relating to the Tower, it’s ownership and refurbishment.

After this we were enthralled by James Bell’s illustrated talk on “The Armstrongs – A Story of the Borders” outlining our history up to the present day. (There will be a synopsis if this in a future edition of the NEWS). James is a Director of the Clan Armstrong  Centre which administers the Tower.

The Thornhill Scottish Country Dancers were then ready to entertain us. I was asked if members would be interested in participation in any of the dances. I said probably not. This was no doubt a conspiracy as within 15 minutes I found that along with others I had been “invited” onto the floor!

4.30 pm came all too quickly along with the tea and biscuits. We said our fond farewells and said hopefully we would meet again in two year’s time.