It is now a tradition of mine to look back and see what I wrote about the previous Gatherings before writing up the current one. This is no exception! Fortunately the “traditional” weather of dull and wet in Scotland and heatwave conditions in the South of England did not hold sway this time… it wasn’t quite the reverse, but it was certainly a change as we were blessed with three days of dry and reasonably warm weather. It was rather fortunate, as I had forgotten to bring an umbrella as we had flown up and hired a car at Edinburgh Airport. Funny thing actually—no traditional handbrake and enough room for a whole family not just two adults! As last time we split our stay between Canonbie The Cross Keys (extension built since last time and even better food) and the Queens at Lockerbie where the Gathering was to take place. We arrived via the Tower only to find Scott waiting at the end of the lane as he had closed up for the afternoon as there were no visitors (quite a feature this year), waiting for a bus to take him home. (It’s great up there… you get free travel if you are a pensioner. Even as far as Carlisle!). It appeared Ted was embedded with the cricket on the television from Lords at home.

We spent a pleasant and sunny morning on the Friday in Langholm on the river bank and then seeking out Langholm Castle which had been added to the Sunday itinerary. You might well ask why we needed to seek it out...surely not a castle! However when you follow the direction signs that vaguely point anywhere, negotiate head high weeds and undergrowth and find just a couple of broken down walls, you can understand why! We also passed the infamous Langholm Bank with which we deal which allowed me to voice a number of obscenities to its facade (quietly) as they seem to have been unable to follow simple instructions to where they should send bank statements for over six months.

We arrived at the Queens late in the afternoon. One or two “old stagers” were already ensconced and we soon heard the familiar Australian accent of Ron from Victoria who we last met on his home patch in 1991. Time seems to stand still—especially at that time the England first innings had collapsed to the bowling of Glen McGrath and Ron was quietly happy that his team were on to another 5-0 series win and the retention of the Ashes. How wrong can you be, Ron!!

Things hadn’t changed so much in the Queens with the exception of the Crystal Room which was now being used as an extension of the dining room facilities so that evening rather than ask the diners to leave we adjourned to the ballroom to get everyone sitting in a chaired circle (old teaching habits die hard!) to explain the events for the next couple of days.

Ted and Scott arrived pretty early on the Saturday as we were squeezing in the meeting of the Clan Armstrong Centre which administers the Tower. Scott had to hurry along as he also had to set up his shop for eagerly awaiting customers prior to the Gathering Lunch. Business was brisk especially with the publication of Tom Armstrong’s book Tales of the Border Reivers—Riding with Moonlight –Featuring the Armstrong Clan. (Details) Many members expressed surprise at the number of items we had on sale, and were even more surprised that they had “missed” the flier in the last copy of the NEWS with all the information on it.

It wasn’t long before the soup course appeared and lunch was on its way. A cold buffet followed the soup, completed, for those who had room some really “naughty” sweets!

Tea and coffee were served afterwards, Scott’s shop kept on functioning and Miriam Bibby, the guest speaker was endeavouring to get her recalcitrant technology to operate properly!

Ted, as Chairman, welcomed everyone to the Gathering, then followed a very interesting talk by Miriam Bibby on Pre-historic Eskdale. Then it was time for the Dancers…..

After their strenuous activity was appreciated by a enraptured audience they did their usual trick of asking for volunteers. Some volunteers!!! I got picked along with Phil and this year nothing simple folks…. we had to do the sword dance! After this members spent the rest of the afternoon chatting. Believe it or not it was even warm enough to sit outside!

Ted was very much in demand for the afternoon and spent a long time chatting with nearly everybody. However, Don at last enticed him outside with a whisky which he downed with the experience of many years before bidding us farewell.

In the evening we paid a visit to the Dryfesdale Cemetery to see the memorial to those who died in the Lockerbie Air Disaster. We all agreed that this was a very moving experience.

The first call on Sunday morning after Gilnockie Tower was to Rowanburn to see the carving erected to Lang Sandy, an Armstrong Reiver. From being a quiet Sunday morning there lots of locals popped out of their houses to see what the “invasion” was about. They said that the tablet on the carving was going to be altered to Lang Sandy Armstrong. Then to Ettleton Cemetery.Looking over from Ettleton Cemetery one can just make out the ruins of Mangerton Tower, which would also have been seen by the Armstrongs in its non ruinous state when Alexander was either rested or buried where the Milholm Cross now stands.

The shield on the side of Mangerton Tower is now quite distressed through weathering, but fortunately we have definitive photos of it.  The site is well tended and the grass is well cut. When lunch was completed we had fallen so far behind on the tour that we had to miss out Castleton Cemetery and went straight to Hermitage Castle. This obviously proved too much for me as I had to lie down  while the others visited the castle. ( This is the supposed grave of the Cout of Keilder. You can see the stone marking the foot of the grave. I'm six foot....he was massive!) We then drove over Tarras Moss (Eight miles and passed seven cars in the opposite direction….it was three less in 2003….it gets busier by the year!), before reaching Carlenrig, where Johnnie Armstrong was betrayed and hung with his followers. We then completed the trip with a visit to Langholm Castle, which was easy to find. I wonder why?!

Having said our farewells we made our way back to Canonbie—Ted had abandoned the Tower, more than likely thinking he was better off watching the cricket!!

Nick

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