Insight in to Clan Armstrong : Dr Miriam Bibby

My connection to the Armstrong Clan came about through my work in Langholm, a lovely town in Dumfries and Galloway with strong links to the Armstrongs. The castle in Langholm – now very ruinous – was an Armstrong castle. I discovered that the Clan Armstrong Trust Museum was looking for a new curator – this would be in 2001. A chance meeting with Fiona Armstrong and other members of the trust in Langholm seemed timely, and very soon I found myself working in the amazing little building that housed the Clan Armstrong Trust Museum. It was a former church, one of a type that became popularly known as “tin tabernacles”, and you can find them in some unusual places across the world. Although the museum is no longer there, the artefacts have all been moved to Gilnockie Tower now, so the visitor can still see what we had on display in the museum.

The best part was undoubtedly meeting the people, amazing people from all over the world who came to visit the little museum in Langholm. We had so many visitors with fascinating stories to tell, all of whom saw Langholm as their ancestral home. Some of them did not have English – or Scots! - as a first language. I’ve met Armstrongs from South America, from Canada, from other parts of Europe. Some spoke French, Spanish, or Portuguese as a first language and they were all very proud Armstrongs with amazing family histories.

Then there were the many Armstrongs from America, from Ireland, from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, with a great sense of the tradition and history of the Clan, or family, perhaps as we should say. There’s a bit of controversy over whether the border clans should really be called clans, or riding names, or families, but the truth is that a bit of controversy goes with the territory! It’s all part of the traditions of Scotland, and of the Anglo-Scottish border. We know that the border clans loved a stooshie, and they still have a reputation for great wit and banter. Thankfully the battling is verbal these days! Whether they considered themselves family, clan, or riding name, the Armstrongs who came to our museum and events were right at home and all welcomed as Armstrong kith and kin.

During the time I worked there, we also installed the Border Reiver Trail, and I was very proud of that success.

My interest in history comes from growing up in north east England. With so much amazing history literally on our doorsteps – and the same is true for Scotland – it was impossible not to be impressed by it. So, my interest was cultivated by trips with the family, or school, to Hadrian’s Wall, Bamburgh and other castles, Lindisfarne, stately homes, and the border abbeys at Melrose, Kelso, and other towns. I realised from very young that history would always have an important part to play in my life, although I couldn’t have predicted then all the fun and fascinating things that would happen because of my interest. Working for the Armstrong clan was up there with the best. I’ve also worked as an Egyptologist and university tutor, and also as a heritage specialist. I was an engager at Beamish Museum on the horse operations team for a while, and have edited history and equestrian magazines. All great fun and experiences I wouldn’t have missed for the world. These experiences taught me so much, too. My current roles include Vice President of the Equine History Collective, a group of international equine history scholars, and co-editor-in-chief of Cheiron, the International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History.

That’s a good question and also one that’s difficult to answer. My first degree was in archaeology and geography, and I maintain an interest in archaeology and the ancient world, particularly ancient Egypt. But so many other periods are fascinating too. I didn’t find the eighteenth century particularly interesting until I worked at Beamish in the Georgian landscape, which sparked my interest in what is a crucial period of history. I worked as a pack horse woman and that gave me a real insight into the life and times of ordinary working people in those days. I like writing popular history articles on a range of topics and my work is published regularly in online journals and magazines. A recent one was about the reign of James IV of Scotland – again, a critical period in Scottish history, since he died at Flodden, but there is so much more to know about this Renaissance king. If you want to know the truth, I think Henry VIII was envious of James IV’s remarkable court and achievements! There’s fascination in every period of history, and I particularly like the odd, the quirky and the anecdotal stories. There are still plenty of Scottish stories that haven’t been told, and my own particular interest is Galloway nags, an early landrace of horses from Scotland that were very influential and are sadly little-known today.

I’m lucky in that history is my work and my passion, and when not out with the horses or the dog, I read a lot and write a lot. I also edit books. The other major interest in my life is gardening! Yes, gardening, but in a very practical way. I grow a lot of vegetables – I’m really into the whole “Good Life” ethos. It’s hard work but the successes are very satisfying. As for the failures – well, there’s always next year!

For about as long as I can remember, horses and history have been my twin passions. I guess being an equine historian really is living the dream, combining the two in one. Horses are very important to our history – humans wouldn’t have achieved so much without them. Horses are very important in Scottish history, and especially important to the border clans. The Armstrongs were said to be able to put 3,000 men into the saddle, a remarkable number when you think about it. Imagine 3,000 mounted border reivers coming at you! A visitor to the court of James IV of Scotland said the king had access to 100,000 horsemen who could be raised within 30 days, and that the figure did not include the horsemen of the isles. These are big, big numbers, and it’s no wonder Elizabeth I of England spoke in praise of Scott of Buccleuch and his horsemen as a force to be reckoned with. Horse history is a fascinating area of research, with lots of new avenues to explore.

Through some Coulson ancestors, apparently I claim kinship with the MacDonaldsof Glencoe, though I haven’t researched this area in depth. It’s a bit embarrassing to reveal that my Collingwood and Selby ancestors were wardens of the English marches! While I’m not actively a member of any clan, I’ve been lucky to be involved in lots of activities with various clans, particularly the Armstrong's, and to witness the amazing global phenomenon of the Scottish clan network.

I have lived in Scotland for over twenty-five years, and I honestly haven’t found a better place in the world – well, maybe Northumberland, but Scotland and northern England have lots in common geographically and culturally anyway. There’s still so much to explore here and when we’re not walking the dog in the forest or just relaxing at home, we like to go out and discover new castles, churches, and historic sites. I love France, particularly Brittany, and lived in Italy for a time. Florence is a lovely city. I’ve visited many of Egypt’s magnificent sites. I’ve spent a lot of time in Ireland too, exploring the history and archaeology. I think you can see a theme developing here: the places I love are generally steeped in history. For sheer breath-taking loveliness though, it would be the Blue Mountains in Australia and the wonderful wildlife, as well as the coastline of New South Wales.

I do like the traditional Armstrong tartan, as the colours are so evocative of the landscape. They have the softness and gentleness of a lake of water on a misty day. An interesting choice for such a formidable family! The Langholm Lunar Tartan created for Neil Armstrong’s visit is rather special as well. That was a big day for the Muckle Toon. The MacGregor tartans are stunning, and so are those of the MacDonalds. What I like about tartans is that although they are created for clans and individuals, they really are inclusive. I didn’t need to be an Armstrong to feel welcomed by the Armstrongs. Whoever wears tartan creates the closest link possible to Scotland’s heritage. Tartans represent the landscape, the people, the past, the present, the sorrows, the joys, even the animals who produced the wool. All these impressions are literally woven into a practical or dressy garment that anyone can take pride in wearing.

Gilnockie Tower is a fine example of a border tower house that has been restored lovingly. You can learn a lot about tower house life simply by working there, even though there are now more mod cons than Johnnie Armstrong’s family would have known back in the sixteenth century! Like the rest of the team, I was involved in visitor engagement, taking people on tours and telling them about life in reiving times. I’d always thought it would be fun to work, or even live in a tower house, and it was. However, for anyone who is planning to live reiver-style in a tower, let me warn you that the stairs are very hard on the knees and other joints! The visitors used to love looking at the garderobe, the toilet in the corner of the bedchamber, which basically consisted of a “long drop” down the side of the tower. (No longer in use I hasten to add!) I was proud to have researched and written the guidebook for Gilnockie Tower, and also the audio guides, which were fun to research and record.

There have been some very influential and powerful Armstrongs across the centuries, but it’s worth remembering the many, many Armstrongs who were less well-known but nonetheless contributed culturally. One of my favourites is Tommy Armstrong, a coal miner and song writer from north east England. Perhaps it’s because I’m from that part of the world that I like to remember Tommy, who wrote comic and tragi-comic songs for his mining community.

Armstrongs are actors, composers, musicians, sports people and so much more; the highest flying Armstrong travelled to the moon. So Armstrong history is part of Scottish history, the history of the island of Britain, and global history. In fact, it’s impossible to “do” Scottish history without acknowledging the Armstrong contribution!