ARMSTRONG CLAN ASSOCIATION GATHERING 2022
Friday 17 - Sunday 19 June
Update: Closing date for Gathering bookings 31 December 2021. Don’t leave it as late as this as all the spaces are going quickly!
Planning for the 2022 Gathering is progressing well, and we are working very hard towards what promises to be a great weekend. It was behind schedule due to various lockdowns and restrictions which have delayed opportunities to plan in as timely way as we had hoped. We have had a high number of bookings for both the Sure Hotel and sister hotel which is the Dryfesdale (both in Lockerbie), so it looks like we will have a good number of people attending. The Gathering is a very friendly, informal event and it seems like we will see lots of ‘old’ and ‘new’ faces to build on the success of previous years.
If you have not yet emailed Adam or I to let us know you plan to come it is essential that you do so. We are in the process of firming up numbers and the next planning stage so if we haven’t heard from you we won’t know you are coming.
Just by way of reminder: - the manager is Glen Wright
The Venue: The Sure Hotel, Annan Rd, Lockerbie. Dumfries & Galloway DG11 2RB
Phone: +44 (0)1576 202415
e-mail: reception@dryfesdalehotel.co.uk or reception@surehotel.co.uk
You need to quote The Armstrong Gathering 2022 as Glen has closed down general bookings for the weekend. Make sure you receive a confirmation of your dates from the hotel please. The following is an outline of our planning so far.
If you have not yet emailed Adam or I to let us know you plan to come it is essential that you do so. We are in the process of firming up numbers and the next planning stage so if we haven’t heard from you we won’t know you are coming.
Just by way of reminder: - the manager is Glen Wright
The Venue: The Sure Hotel, Annan Rd, Lockerbie. Dumfries & Galloway DG11 2RB
Phone: +44 (0)1576 202415
e-mail: reception@dryfesdalehotel.co.uk or reception@surehotel.co.uk
You need to quote The Armstrong Gathering 2022 as Glen has closed down general bookings for the weekend. Make sure you receive a confirmation of your dates from the hotel please. The following is an outline of our planning so far.
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the Saturday 18th June coach tour is particularly planned for those who have not before done the group guided tour of the reiver trail.
https://www.armstrongclan.info/armstrong-reiver-trail.html priority will be given to “first timers”. it will include a visit to our family’s famous ancestral home, the Clan Armstrong Centre; Gilnockie Tower. https://gilnockietower.co.uk/. For those of you who attended in 2019 there have been further changes and improvements to the structure and content of the building. for those of you not familiar with Gilnockie Tower it is one of the few remaining Scottish pele towers, and was built almost 500 years ago. it was home to Johnnie Armstrong, a notorious border reiver. because of its historical importance, it welcomes visitors from many other groups and individuals with ancestors from the Scottish borders. the staff here have worked on a new interactive version of the trail for visitors to the area, and there will be a link from the website soon. . |
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For those of you who have visited before and are not on the Saturday tour, or some who haven’t been before but wish to explore the area yourselves there is so much to see. As well as the Reiver Trail there are numerous places of interest. Suggestions include Hadrian’s Wall:- https://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/hadrians-wall Carlisle including the historic Castle, and/or museum:- https://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/ Gretna Green and the famed Blacksmith Shop https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/gretna-and-gretna-green-p244351 
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If you have ancestors buried in the area you may want to pay your respects at one of the cemeteries, then some suggestions are Canonbie (where my ancestors lie), Bewcastle, Ettleton and Dumfries and others. There are many more suggestions for fascinating places to visit and during the weekend you will have the opportunity to speak with Armstrongs who have a wealth of knowledge about our history. Nick and Jane Armstrong, Bobbie Hooser and Adam Armstrong-Crisp (who lives in the area and is a tour guide), will be pleased to advise. https://armstrongbordertours.co.uk/ |
Previously it has been very popular to have a large group outing. We are very excited about what we have planned for 2022. This is on Sunday 19th June and we hope as many as possible of your will join us. We will tour through the spectacularly beautiful regions of Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway
https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/scottish-borders/
https://www.traquair.co.uk/
The highlight of the day will centre around a visit to Traquair House which is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland.
We have liaised with Lady Catherine Maxwell-Stewart for a special Armstrong themed guided tour. The tours will be in groups, and when one group is exploring the house others will take lunch and perhaps walk the grounds or explore the maze. There are also some wonderful artisan craft-shops on site. Take a look at the website to find out more about the house and gardens, and particularly the history. Mary Queen of Scots spent time here and her bedchamber where she slept with her infant son James (VI of Scotland, I of England) can be seen. Think of the tales this house could tell, and the secrets it holds!
As well as the house visit we will travel through Armstrong countryside and see some of the sites our ancestors will have known intimately. The stunning beauty and peace of the area conceals a turbulent past. We will see the Devils Beef tub where the livestock and spoil from reiving were hidden from view. Also the stunning “Grey mares Tail” waterfall. The rest of this day is yet to be finalised. Adam who is our resident expert on the area is still working on the finer detail.
https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/scottish-borders/
https://www.traquair.co.uk/
The highlight of the day will centre around a visit to Traquair House which is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland.
We have liaised with Lady Catherine Maxwell-Stewart for a special Armstrong themed guided tour. The tours will be in groups, and when one group is exploring the house others will take lunch and perhaps walk the grounds or explore the maze. There are also some wonderful artisan craft-shops on site. Take a look at the website to find out more about the house and gardens, and particularly the history. Mary Queen of Scots spent time here and her bedchamber where she slept with her infant son James (VI of Scotland, I of England) can be seen. Think of the tales this house could tell, and the secrets it holds!
As well as the house visit we will travel through Armstrong countryside and see some of the sites our ancestors will have known intimately. The stunning beauty and peace of the area conceals a turbulent past. We will see the Devils Beef tub where the livestock and spoil from reiving were hidden from view. Also the stunning “Grey mares Tail” waterfall. The rest of this day is yet to be finalised. Adam who is our resident expert on the area is still working on the finer detail.
Seats on both tours will be limited and first come first served. However, we have reserved a larger coach for the Sunday in anticipation that as many as possible will be able to have the day together as a larger group.
We plan to provide regular updates on the ACA website. For those who are on our list I will shortly send out the menu for the Saturday evening meal. At this stage deposits will not be required, but early in the New Year I will need menu choices and deposits. These will be collected via your convenors.
We’d love to welcome you to our Clan Gathering, join us to make it a weekend to remember!
Just to reiterate, our base will be at The Sure Hotel, and preliminary programme is as follows:-
Friday 17th June:- We will be there to introduce ourselves and give your “welcome packs” from 10-4.30pm. If anyone arrives later we can give these when you arrive.
At 7pm there will be a welcome drinks reception and “nibbles”. This will provide the opportunity for us to meet each other and have an informal chat. If you would like a more substantial supper the hotel will be able to offer you this. It will require pre-booking directly with them. Later in the evening is relaxed time for people to chat and get to know each other.
Friday 17th June:- We will be there to introduce ourselves and give your “welcome packs” from 10-4.30pm. If anyone arrives later we can give these when you arrive.
At 7pm there will be a welcome drinks reception and “nibbles”. This will provide the opportunity for us to meet each other and have an informal chat. If you would like a more substantial supper the hotel will be able to offer you this. It will require pre-booking directly with them. Later in the evening is relaxed time for people to chat and get to know each other.
Saturday 18th June:-
Saturday day, as outlined above, will be either the group tour, or individual groups exploring on their own, or some may get together and travel to areas of interest in convoy. Both have been successful in the past.
The highlight of the day is the Gathering meal. The menu is to follow. There are three choices for each course with provision for dietary special requirements. There is also a special children’s menu for under 10s. There will be some low-key entertainment (to be finalised).
These evenings have historically been greatly enjoyed by all. You will get to meet fellow Armstrong cousins from near and far. The food and drink have been pretty good in the past too!
The relationships built, feeling of kinship and enduring friendships which develop from these evenings are very special.
Saturday day, as outlined above, will be either the group tour, or individual groups exploring on their own, or some may get together and travel to areas of interest in convoy. Both have been successful in the past.
The highlight of the day is the Gathering meal. The menu is to follow. There are three choices for each course with provision for dietary special requirements. There is also a special children’s menu for under 10s. There will be some low-key entertainment (to be finalised).
These evenings have historically been greatly enjoyed by all. You will get to meet fellow Armstrong cousins from near and far. The food and drink have been pretty good in the past too!
The relationships built, feeling of kinship and enduring friendships which develop from these evenings are very special.
Sunday 19th June:- Sunday day is outlined above with the large group tour being the main activity for those who would like to be part of it. We are in the process of planning the Sunday evening activities but suggestions have been made for an opportunity to discuss and share stories of Armstrong history and perhaps to find out a little more a little more about your own family story. For those of you who have stories this would be a chance to share yours. We will elaborate more on this as planning progresses.
At this stage we have not organised evening meals as some may wish to make their own arrangements either at the hotel or elsewhere. It will be the opportunity to share a drink with friends old and news and say your farewells…
At this stage we have not organised evening meals as some may wish to make their own arrangements either at the hotel or elsewhere. It will be the opportunity to share a drink with friends old and news and say your farewells…
COSTINGS
You have asked for an idea of costs. Please note the following is a best estimate based upon current quotes, and is in English pounds:-
The cost for the Gathering Weekend, excluding tours will be in the region of £60.00 to include Friday night reception with one welcome drink (the rest to be purchased by guests). Saturday Meal (3 course) and tea/coffee and Scottish shortbread to finish. Drinks are not included with meal.
The Saturday tour will be in the region of £35.00 to include entry to Gilnockie Tower.
The Sunday Tour will be in the region of £45.00 including guided tour and lunch at Traquair House.
Please do contact us if you have any questions and comments. We will do our best to help.
Pamela Schultz: - armstrongelle61@gmail.com
Adam Armstrong-Crisp: - adam.armstrongcrisp@outlook.com
(Gathering Coordinators)
Please be aware that in these “pandemic times” changes and possible restrictions occur almost on a daily basis and often differ between Scotland and England. You must ensure you have indemnity or other insurance in place to cover any future changes to travel or other constraints that are outside of our control.
You have asked for an idea of costs. Please note the following is a best estimate based upon current quotes, and is in English pounds:-
The cost for the Gathering Weekend, excluding tours will be in the region of £60.00 to include Friday night reception with one welcome drink (the rest to be purchased by guests). Saturday Meal (3 course) and tea/coffee and Scottish shortbread to finish. Drinks are not included with meal.
The Saturday tour will be in the region of £35.00 to include entry to Gilnockie Tower.
The Sunday Tour will be in the region of £45.00 including guided tour and lunch at Traquair House.
Please do contact us if you have any questions and comments. We will do our best to help.
Pamela Schultz: - armstrongelle61@gmail.com
Adam Armstrong-Crisp: - adam.armstrongcrisp@outlook.com
(Gathering Coordinators)
Please be aware that in these “pandemic times” changes and possible restrictions occur almost on a daily basis and often differ between Scotland and England. You must ensure you have indemnity or other insurance in place to cover any future changes to travel or other constraints that are outside of our control.