Today proved just great.

We had overnighted in an excellent 3 star Guest House in Hawick (Whitchester). After hearty breakfast we commenced our tour which encompassed the following:

-Carlenrig, where the Scottish reiver, Johnnie Armstrong, met his death by hanging without trial. There are monuments to both his actual burying place and his life, with latter in nearby graveyard.

-Langholm. Here we parked at the Clan Armstrong Museum (closed today) and explored the small town and its ruined castle. Museum opens tomorrow when we will return.

-Gilnlockie/Hollows which is one of the best preserved reivers towers house or pele. Closed today but we will return for opening tomorrow afternoon.

-Ettletown Cemetery which has a number of Armstrong memorials including that of Armstrong who was shot dead by a minister of religion without warning.

-Milnholm Cross, one of the oldest relics of the Armstrong Clan which extends to eight feet in height.

-Lunch at the Liddesdale Hotel in Newcastleton. Our visit coincided with a leg of Tour of Britain cycling event.

-Liddesdale Heritage Centre which has information on the reiver era and Armstrong history.

-Mangerton Tower, the 12th century seat of the Armstrongs and now a ruin by side of defunct railway line.Not easy to find. Look for holiday park.

-Kershopefoot to see the Tourneyholm site where English and Scottish prisoners were exchanged and arguments settled by single combat.

-A small herd of Llamas en route to Hermitage Castle.

-Finally, the stunning Hermitage Castle, a massive edifice which stands isolated and austere in the rolling landscape.This must have proved a forminable fortress which had links with the Douglasses, Hepburns, Elliots and Scotts.

We returned to our lodgings about 5.30pm, in good time for dinner at 7.00pm.

Look forward to another successful day tomorrow.


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