Haughton Castle
Haughton Castle, situated on the banks of the North Tyne opposite the village of Barrasford, is a Fourteenth century fortified tower house, which, partly modernised, is inhabited today
Sir John de Widdrington, a good, caring man, was Lord of Haughton at this time during the sixteenth century and he work for peace, trying to suppress the unruly raiders. Lord Dacre of Gilsland, Warden of the Middle Marches, was the complete opposite to Sir John, and was suspected of taking bribes from chiefs of clans such as the Armstrongs, Scotts and the Elliotts. Lord Dacre was said to be in love with Helen Armstrong, known as ‘Dark-eyed Nellie’ who was the sister of the chief of the Armstrong clan, Archie Armstrong.
The grievances of the local, honest landowners were brought to the attention of Sir John and he agreed to act as their envoy and put their case to the king. Sir John learned that the King’s chief minister, Lord Cardinal Wolsey, was visiting York and arranged to meet him there.
The night before they set out, Sir John ‘s men captured Archie Armstrong thieving cattle. Having thrown him in the dungeon, Sir John set off for York the next morning. After two days ride, the men were preparing to meet the Cardinal, when Sir John realised he still had the key to the dungeon in his pocket, and had left no instructions for food and water to be given to the prisoner.
Being a considerate man, he turned his horse and headed back North. He reached the castle within forty eight hours. His servants replied that they had heard nothing from the cell that Archie was in for twenty-four hours.
On entering the dungeon, Archie Armstrong was found to be dead, having gnawed at the flesh from his arm in his starvation.
In the course of time, his ghost hunted the castle; his blood curdling shrieks echoeing from the dungeon and reverberating throughout the rooms. None of the servants would remain in the castle and the family could get no rest from the agonising sound.
If the servants heard his cries before he died then why didn’t they force food into the cell from under the door or through a window?

Hollows Tower

Hollows, a tower of the Armstrong’s near Gilnockie. Still to this day owned by the Armstrong’s. Armstrong’s still live at Hollows Tower. One of six towers built by Johnny Armstrong of Gilnockie.
The tower is decorated with the clan insignia and standard, and a painting of the tower commissioned by the new Laird. Around the walls are charts illustrating the descent of some of the clan, maps showing the Border area and the location of the clans.

Johnnies Gavestone

Johnny was betrayed by his country and for that the Armstrong’s took revenge.

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