Gilnockie’s first tower was as gilnockie means; high, and next to a ravine on the Scottish side of the Esk. Johnie Armstrong owned this tower which Dacre burned down, and from land ownership he was called by his estate Gilnockie. He built an new one just above a sink hole made by subsurface water cutting through a meander in the River Esk, at this hollow. So its Gilnockie’s Tower at Hollows, which his newer and inflammable tower is called; Some people call it Gilnockie’s Tower, others call it Hollow’s tower, and both are correct.
Hermitage Castle – Mary, Queen of Scots
http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/Castles/Hermitage.htm
The first Hermitage castle was a timber and earthwork castle. The Wars of Independence saw Hermitage Castle change hands several times. It came into the possession of Sir William Douglas in 1338, but after his murder in Ettrick Forest in 1353, his widow married and Englishman, Lord Dacre. Around about 1360, Lord Dacre began to replace the timber castle with a more domestic, fortified manor house. The central cobbled courtyard was flanked on either side by a range of apartments; the ground floor contained storage cellars. Above these were the main lordly apartments, which were reached by way of the stair in the north end of the courtyard. The upper floors are now missing but the quality of the surviving work is quite exceptional. It is possible that John Lewyn, one of the foremost English architects of the time, was employed by Lord Dacre to build his new house. Lord Dacre was deprived of his Liddesdale estates in 1371, probably before he could complete his new house. Hermitage returned to the Douglas family, in the shape of William, the first Earl of Douglas. The central courtyard was roofed over and additional upper storeys were added. This probably contained a lord’s hall and a “laigh” or servant’s hall.
The first Hermitage castle was a timber and earthwork castle. The Wars of Independence saw Hermitage Castle change hands several times. It came into the possession of Sir William Douglas in 1338, but after his murder in Ettrick Forest in 1353, his widow married and Englishman, Lord Dacre. Around about 1360, Lord Dacre began to replace the timber castle with a more domestic, fortified manor house. The central cobbled courtyard was flanked on either side by a range of apartments; the ground floor contained storage cellars. Above these were the main lordly apartments, which were reached by way of the stair in the north end of the courtyard. The upper floors are now missing but the quality of the surviving work is quite exceptional. It is possible that John Lewyn, one of the foremost English architects of the time, was employed by Lord Dacre to build his new house. Lord Dacre was deprived of his Liddesdale estates in 1371, probably before he could complete his new house. Hermitage returned to the Douglas family, in the shape of William, the first Earl of Douglas. The central courtyard was roofed over and additional upper storeys were added. This probably contained a lord’s hall and a “laigh” or servant’s hall.
Know that Lord Dacre use to own, The Hermitage Castle.
Know it was not exactly the good old days when the Armstrong, Elliot, and Nixon of the Middle March, defended The Hermitage Castle for Mary Queen of Scots, and one her side at Langholm.
Know our reputation has not proven to go well, with Gilnockie, and James V, we got ourselves hung. Did not go well, with Mary Stuart, Queen of Scot she got herself beheaded, but an Armstrong of Langholm, with a Nixon, of Tyrone, but likely from Steel between the Elliot of Redhuegh, and Larriston put the first footprint on the moon. Know you Armstrong have had difficulties fueding with the Larriston, Elliot, but this chief even had a bad reputation with Buccleuch, who’s sister he married and played around on. Consider pitching in and defending the home place of The Elliot. The army of Armstrong carry similar values, but each stands on their own, that way no leaders.
2/12/2019 MSE