Gilnockie Tower
Gilnockie Tower
5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Gilnockie Tower is a stunning example of a Scottish pele tower. Built some 500 years ago, it was home to Johnnie Armstrong, a notorious border reiver. In 1530 this powerful chieftain was hanged by a Scottish king, his story romanticised by Walter Scott. Gilnockie Tower has five floors, including vaulted chamber, banqueting hall and spiral staircase. The entrance stone is thought to be two thousand years old. Once a roofless ruin, the structure has been completely refurbished and is open as a clan and visitor attraction. Gilnockie Tower houses reiving artefacts and the world’s largest collection of Armstrong archives. The Clan Armstrong Trust Museum, originally housed on the Lodge Walk, Langholm is now closed, and all of the original displays have been moved to GILNOCKIE TOWER, Canonbie, DG14 0XD on the Anglo-Scottish Border. Please follow the brown signs to the Clan Armstrong Centre between Langholm and Canonbie on the A7 Carlisle to Edinburgh visitor route.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
1 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
43 reviews
Excellent
37
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Welsh NZers
Auckland Central, New Zealand1,375 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
It was quite a blustery day but it was really worth visiting the Tower. Set in farmland,
Gilnockie (Little White Tower) Tower was built by Johnnie Armstrong in 1529 in the heart of the lawless Debateable Lands as a stronghold for one of the area's most notorious Reiving families.
The Tower was occupied until the early 1600's when the Armstrong's, along with other Reiver families, were driven out of the area as the result of an Act of Parliament, introduced by King James I.
Lying empty for more than three centuries, it deteriorated into a shell of just the outer walls & the stairway. The roof & the internal floors had collapsed completely.
In 1995 it was purchased from the Duke of Buccleuch by businessman Colin Armstrong, a former British Consul. He renovated it into a private family home. In 2015, Colin decided that Gilnockie Tower needed to be "smartened up" to make it more attractive to visitors & that was how we saw the Tower. We found it fascinating & were grateful for the audio guide recorded by Tom, the Head Guide, with additional information provided by Ian, Manager of the Tower.
There isn’t a cafe here, but the guides will make you a hot drink & there are a few small packets of biscuits. The connection to Neil Armstrong is also very interesting.
There is no lift, just a narrow staircase up each of the floors , so this is not a mobility friendly activity. There is a bathroom on one of the floors.
A really interesting place to visit and the guides are full of information about its history. We’ll worth coming to see.
Gilnockie (Little White Tower) Tower was built by Johnnie Armstrong in 1529 in the heart of the lawless Debateable Lands as a stronghold for one of the area's most notorious Reiving families.
The Tower was occupied until the early 1600's when the Armstrong's, along with other Reiver families, were driven out of the area as the result of an Act of Parliament, introduced by King James I.
Lying empty for more than three centuries, it deteriorated into a shell of just the outer walls & the stairway. The roof & the internal floors had collapsed completely.
In 1995 it was purchased from the Duke of Buccleuch by businessman Colin Armstrong, a former British Consul. He renovated it into a private family home. In 2015, Colin decided that Gilnockie Tower needed to be "smartened up" to make it more attractive to visitors & that was how we saw the Tower. We found it fascinating & were grateful for the audio guide recorded by Tom, the Head Guide, with additional information provided by Ian, Manager of the Tower.
There isn’t a cafe here, but the guides will make you a hot drink & there are a few small packets of biscuits. The connection to Neil Armstrong is also very interesting.
There is no lift, just a narrow staircase up each of the floors , so this is not a mobility friendly activity. There is a bathroom on one of the floors.
A really interesting place to visit and the guides are full of information about its history. We’ll worth coming to see.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faith A
Southampton, UK112 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
A must visit to see one of the last, if not only, Pele Towers which were fortifications for the border clans. Interesting to see but especially if you have any connection to the Armstrong Clan. There are 3 levels with a brilliant view at the top. There is also memorabilia and information relating to Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon. Well worth a visit. Very well signposted and easy parking.
Written 12 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicia C
Birmingham, UK64 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
What a cracking place, so well restored and evocative. There’s much to see and learn here, using the audio guidance as your own tour guide.
For the roof you need to be comfortable with heights but the views are stunning and well worth the stair climb.
Helpful and informative staff couldn’t be more welcoming and there’s even the chance to buy a cuppa for revival.
For the roof you need to be comfortable with heights but the views are stunning and well worth the stair climb.
Helpful and informative staff couldn’t be more welcoming and there’s even the chance to buy a cuppa for revival.
Written 29 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spaghetti1001
Galston, UK93 contributions
Jun 2021
Second visit here . Due to Covid the cafe area does not serve at the present time. The reconstruction of this tower is quite impressive and much effort has gone into it. Very interesting history. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area, although it's slightly of the main routes.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rebeljenn
Ruislip, UK906 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
The tower is open for visitors, and you can access all of it and the rooftop for some views. It’s a lovely reconstructed pele tower or fortified house thought to be of the clan Armstrong. There’s some astronaut stuff in a room upstairs (Neil Armstrong visited). I’m from Ohio so that was of interest to me as is “the castle” (fortified house). It’s a cool piece of history even if you’re not associated with the surname.
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EAM
6 contributions
May 2021
Great morning at Gilnockie Tower. Facilities are immaculate, the attendants were knowledgeable and friendly. Lovely views all around from top of tower. Living locally it is a place we had wished to visit on many occasions but so pleased to have visited today. This is definite must stop for anyone visiting or living in the area. We learned so much about the Border Reivers and the history of the area.
Written 16 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GobiBear
Columbia, Maryland, USA33 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
A fine example of a Border Reiver Tower House with several exhibits dedicated to the Armstrong family, notorious Border Reivers. Fun to go up on the parapet (where you can walk around the entire tower). Gives a great sense of the importance of the River Esk to those families settling here in the 16th Century Debateable Lands. Very well-stocked gift shop and does include bathroom facilities.
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine A
3 contributions
Oct 2020
we first started visiting the tower 4yrs ago we stay Near by in Langholm so it doesn't
take long to get there during the time we have been going there we have seen a vast difference in the tower as it has been renovated.
It is a brilliant place to visit as you find out lots of historic facts.
The staff are all very welcoming especially Ian the project manager he always has time for a chat which is nice. he main reason we first started visiting the tower is we are Armstrong's and that's who the tower is all about.
take long to get there during the time we have been going there we have seen a vast difference in the tower as it has been renovated.
It is a brilliant place to visit as you find out lots of historic facts.
The staff are all very welcoming especially Ian the project manager he always has time for a chat which is nice. he main reason we first started visiting the tower is we are Armstrong's and that's who the tower is all about.
Written 28 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you.
Written 1 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rhonda H
23 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
So glad we visited this fascinating place. We really enjoyed the audio tour, lots of information presented in an interesting and entertaining way. Although we needed to take care on the stairs, we managed fine and the view from the walkway was well worth the effort. Incredible artefacts and tons of history. The volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. Not just for Armstrong descendants, everyone should enjoy Gilknockie Tower. Will definitely go back.
Written 23 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Konstantinos C
Edinburgh, UK102 contributions
Dec 2019
Great place to visit. Historical place which has been restored to a fantastic standard. Our group joined a very thorough tour of the tower, lots of history to learn from their knowledgable staff. The tower can be hired for weddings and the views are breathtaking. Would happily visit again.
Written 28 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your response.
I.
Written 1 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing