Clan Armstrong occupies a distinct place in the turbulent history of the Anglo-Scottish Borders. Known for their strength, defiance, and deep entanglement in the bloody world of the Border Reivers, the Armstrongs were a formidable force from the late Middle Ages through to the early modern period. Their name became synonymous with daring raids, clan feuds, and martial prowess, but also with tragedy, displacement, and legacy.
Border Reiver Story
The Armstrongs rose to prominence in the debateable lands of the western Borders, mainly in Liddesdale and the Esk valley. By the 16th century, they were one of the most powerful riding clans on either side of the border, capable of mustering hundreds of armed men. They thrived in a region where national loyalties were fluid and justice depended more on kinship than the Crown.
As Reivers, the Armstrongs engaged in cattle theft, blackmail, and raiding, both as a means of survival and a cultural norm. This was not simple banditry. It was a structured way of life governed by unwritten codes of honour and retaliation, enforced by feuding and supported by fortified tower houses.
Their rise, however, brought royal attention. In 1530, King James V personally led an expedition into the Borders to curb their growing independence. The most famous incident came with the capture and execution of John Armstrong of Gilnockie, a man of enormous influence. His hanging, despite arriving under royal assurance of safe conduct, was a calculated display of royal power. The king’s actions weakened but did not end Armstrong power.
Clan Feuds
The Armstrongs were frequently at odds with neighbouring families, including the Eliotts, Maxwells, and Scots of Buccleuch. Feuding could be both personal and territorial. These conflicts were often violent and long-running, sustained by cycles of revenge and cross-border politics.
While many of these clashes were sparked by honour, insults, or encroachments, they were also driven by survival in a lawless region. Alliances shifted constantly. Sometimes the Armstrongs would side with Scottish lords, other times with English wardens, depending on who offered better terms or security.
Sept Families and Alliances
While not a traditional Highland clan with an extended system of septs, several families were historically associated with the Armstrongs through marriage, shared ancestry, or mutual defence. These included:
- Fairbairn – occasionally listed as a sept due to overlapping territories and familial bonds.
- Crozier – closely tied through border alliances and mutual protection pacts.
- Nixon and Ellot (Elliot) – while often rivals, some branches maintained intermittent alliances.
The Armstrongs also allied with other powerful Reiver families such as the Grahams and Bells when facing common enemies, including English militias or rival Scottish factions.
Notable People
Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie remains the clan’s most iconic figure. Charismatic and immensely wealthy for a Border chieftain, he reportedly maintained his own court and commanded over 160 followers. His execution in 1530 became a folk ballad and symbol of noble resistance against royal overreach.
Thomas Armstrong, known as “Black Tom,” was a feared Reiver during the Elizabethan period, notorious for cross-border raids and his involvement in larger feuds. He was eventually executed in 1610, another victim of the Crown’s crackdown on Reiver culture.
Alexander Armstrong, later transported to Ireland during the Plantation of Ulster, was part of a broader scattering of Armstrong descendants after the pacification of the Borders.
Notable Raids and Battles
The Armstrongs participated in numerous raids and small battles, often under the cover of night. These were not organised military campaigns but sudden, swift strikes. Some of the most significant include:
- Raid on Tynedale (late 16th century): A major Armstrong foray into English territory, resulting in the theft of livestock and the burning of farms.
- Feud with the Scots of Buccleuch (1560s): A period of intense rivalry culminating in several bloody confrontations and ambushes.
- Battle of Dryfe Sands (1593): Though primarily between the Johnstones and Maxwells, Armstrongs were reportedly involved as allies, demonstrating their ability to influence larger Border conflicts.
Clan Strongholds
The Armstrongs maintained numerous tower houses and bastle houses, primarily in Liddesdale and along the River Esk. Some key locations include:
- Gilnockie Tower: Perhaps the most famous Armstrong stronghold, located near Canonbie. Reconstructed and preserved, it stands today as a powerful symbol of clan identity.
- Hollows Tower: A lesser-known but strategically important bastle house linked to the Armstrongs.
- Mangerton Tower: Once a major seat of Armstrong power, now in ruins but historically significant.
These fortifications were designed more for defence than comfort, reflecting the constant threat of raids and retribution.
Clan Symbols and Identity
The Armstrong crest features a strong right arm, often bare and holding a sword. Their motto, Invictus Maneo (“I remain unvanquished”), reflects their tenacity in the face of adversity and betrayal.
The clan tartan, though of more recent formalisation, has become a visible expression of Armstrong heritage, especially among descendants in Scotland, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Legacy and Modern Day
With the Union of the Crowns in 1603, the Borders were pacified under James VI and I. Reiving was suppressed brutally, and many Armstrongs were executed, imprisoned, or exiled. A significant number were resettled in Ireland, particularly in Fermanagh and Tyrone, where their descendants became part of the Ulster Scots community.
Despite this upheaval, the Armstrong legacy endures. Clan Armstrong societies are active today, preserving the clan’s history, promoting heritage education, and maintaining sites like Gilnockie Tower. Their story is also kept alive in Border ballads and folklore, where they are remembered not just as raiders but as proud, resilient survivors of a brutal frontier.
Clan Armstrong remains a potent symbol of the lawless Borders, where allegiance was forged in blood, strength, and kinship, and where the line between honour and rebellion was rarely clear.
Watch the story of Johnnie Armstrong
