Kirkandrews-on-Esk Pele Tower
Pele Towers or fortified houses, like this one at Kirkandrews-on-Esk became familiar features of the landscape for those who could afford them.
The Border Reivers
During the Anglo-Scottish conflicts and uneasy peace of the 15th and 16th centuries, Scotland claimed the Border was the River Esk. The English claimed it to be the Sark. A compromise was reached whereby the disputed territory was mutually recognised as The Debatable Land.
As such it was used as pasturage by either side between sunrise and sunset.
This lawless and impoverished No-Man's-Land was the home of notorious Reivers and Longtown lay at its heart. From here, powerful 'riding' families like the Grahams, Armstrongs and many others who pursued agendas of theft, extortion and often murderous cross-border cattle raids along this wild frontier. Here the word ‘Blackmail’ was coined.
The Bishop of Glasgow said of them... "I Curse them going, I curse them riding. I curse them sitting and I curse them standing. I curse them eating and I curse them drinking. I curse them waking and I curse them sleeping."
The daring exploits of local Reivers like Hobbie Noble, Kinmont Willie, Johnny Armstrong and Richie Graham make tales of the outlaws of the American Wild West seem tame in comparison.
VISIT LONGTOWN: HISTORY, MYSTERY, LEGEND