Armstrong

The Armstrong's were based in the Border areas, as long ago as 1587, where an Act of Parliament makes note of the need for clans in the Borders as well as the Highlands.

The tale of the Armstrongs begins with Fairbairn, who was an armour bearer for a Scottish King, and who bravely rushed to the King's assistance when his horse was killed under him in the midst of battle. Fairbairn was rewarded with lands on the Borders. The King also gave him the title of Armstrong.

The initial records of the Armstrong's can be found from 1376 in Liddesdale, and although the Armstrongs held land in the Borders, it is here that their power was unquestionable. The Armstrongs had such a terrible reputation for their reckless disorder that they kept the whole of the Borders in chaos.

The major branches of the clan were the Armstrongs of Gilnockie, and in the 16th Century, John Armstrong and thirty of his men were hanged by King James V at Carlingrigg.