Border Reivers will return to Dumfries and Galloway, with a weekend of celebrations at Canonbie, running from Friday 26th May to Monday 29th May, 1- 5pm in The Gallery at Canonbie Church, organised by Canonbie & District Residents Association.
Visitors are warmly invited to experience a flavour of historic Canonbie, centre of the 16th Century ‘Debateable Lands’, and to join us in celebrating our wonderful heritage, via exciting activities & exhibits.
Armstrong Clan Trust have kindly loaned artefacts from their extensive historic archive, and on Saturday 27th, Border Clansmen re-enactors will answer questions and offer fun participative sessions for children and adults, about our Reiving history, clothing and weapons. A pillory will be available in case of serious wrong-doing (or for selfie-opportunities!)
The event also includes a major exhibition of more than twenty original Border Reiver paintings, by well-known Border artist John Martin. Previously exhibited at Tullie House, the works are historically accurate and informative, as well as evocative of a thrilling and dark period in our history. Canonbie Primary School children are also participating in the project, & will exhibit their model reivers, illustrating clothing of the period.
In addition, there will be an update on Gilnockie Tower, a nearby 16th century pele tower and Armstrong stronghold, currently undergoing significant repairs.
Fiona Armstrong, Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfries, will officially open the event at 2pm on Friday 26th, which will also see the formal launch of a new community Heritage Project to celebrate the significance of the area, at the heart of the historic Debateable Lands
