Gilnockie Tower is a stunning example of a 16th century Scottish pele tower. Built some 500 years ago, it was home to Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, 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 a vaulted chamber, banqueting hall and spiral staircase. The entrance stone is thought to be two thousand years old. Once a roofless ruin, the tower has been completely refurbished and is open as a clan and visitor attraction. The Clan Armstrong Centre houses reiving artefacts and the world’s largest collection of Armstrong archives.
Many times recognised by historians, students and visitors alike as the Gilnockie Tower or Johnnie Armstrong's Tower it is believed to have been built around the period circa 1490-1520 and is known as rubble built, carved stone, Medieval Period Scots Tower House.
Gilnockie Tower is also a marriage venue, a 16th century setting where your special day take place. A simply striking rural location on the edge of the River Esk two miles north of Scots Dyke. Your ceremony can be arranged inside or outside the 500 year old tower, all supported by locally sourced victuals and an exceptional service.’
Gilnockie Tower is open to visitors from 1st April 2022 7 Days a week 10.00am until 4.00pm.
Relevant hygiene and social distancing remains in place to protect customers and staff.
Last tour 30 minutes before advertised closing time.
If possible please book through our phone number 013873 71373.
You can email us gt@gilnockietower.co.uk for further information.
Directions
Please check our website for any unforeseen changes to our opening times.
How do you get to Gilnockie Tower?
If you can, please phone us to advise when you are on route.
By Road: Arriving from the North or the South at Junction 44 on the M6 motorway at Carlisle, Cumbria you will join the A7 scenic route from Carlisle to Edinburgh, and Gilnockie Tower is only 18 miles from Junction 44.
Joining the A7 scenic route from Edinburgh to Carlisle within the Edinburgh area, follow
the City Bypass, and then join the A7 at the Sheriffhall Roundabout, you have 60 miles to
travel to Gilnockie Tower passing through the lush countryside of the Scottish Borders.
If you are passing through the A75 south west Scotland corridor, join the A7 at Longtown, turn left to travel north. The A7 Carlisle to Edinburgh Scenic Route passes over Scots Dyke, the Anglo-Scottish Border, then on to Edinburgh. The road takes you through some of the darkest and extraordinary periods in Border Reiver life throughout the 16th century Anglo-Scottish historical development. 12 miles north of Carlisle, or 4 miles south of Langholm, follow the brown information signs, ‘Clan Armstrong Centre’, on the A7 Canonbie by-pass. These signs will direct you to Gilnockie Tower and the Clan Armstrong Centre. Look out for the Gilnockie Tower sign on the left and to the right is a bleak Scots Tower House, 500 years old, Gilnockie Tower is located deep in the Esk Valley.
Via the X95 Bus/coach: The X95 bus service from both Carlisle (Scots Dyke) and Edinburgh stopping at the Gilnockie Tower and Clan Armstrong Centre road end is reduced to a limited service again for the foreseeable future. The Carlisle bus leaves from the stance outside the Carlisle Rail Station, and the Edinburgh bus leaves the City Centre Bus Terminus/Station, near to Waverley Rail Station. For up-to-date information and a bus timetable please check out:- www.bordersbuses.co.uk/services/X95.
Just let the bus driver know you want off at Gilnockie Tower/Clan Armstrong Centre, and the driver will do everything to help you. You pick up your return journey at the same stance, but the other side of the road. Hold your hand out when the bus is in sight, and the driver will stop for you. The X95 team are excellent and very caring for the customers they have.
How do you get to Gilnockie Tower?
If you can, please phone us to advise when you are on route.
By Air to: Carlisle Lake District Airport (CAX) : www.carlisleairport.co.uk/ launched commercial flights for the first time in more than 25 years on July 4th 2019. Unfortunately flights into Carlisle Airport have been temporarily suspended for the foreseeable future.
The Stobart Group-own and operate the airport and teamed-up with Scotland’s Airline, Loganair, to offer air links to and from Southend, Belfast and Dublin. This opened the Anglo-Scottish Borders, Cumbria and the Lake District region to the South East of England (Southend), Northern Ireland (Belfast) and The Republic of Ireland (Dublin). Canonbie, Gilnockie Tower and Langholm are only a thirty minute drive from Carlisle airport.
The airport, which once served as an RAF airfield, has been transformed thanks to a new and modern terminal, its own Borderlands Café with its new runway and taxiways. The airport also offers free car parking and free mini bus connections with Carlisle Rail/Train Station. Flights are on sale via www.loganair.co.uk, including 20kg baggage allowance.
Also by Air to: Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow (GLA) and Manchester (MAN) are three airports that have direct Rail Links with the Historic City of Carlisle (https://www.discovercarlisle.co.uk/) and its city centre Rail Station.
