The Johnnie Armstrong Gallery and Borderlands Museum

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The Johnnie Armstrong Gallery and Borderlands Museum Studio goldsmiths inspired by folk art and mythology of the North. www.thecelticgoldsmith.com

Studio goldsmiths inspired by folk art and mythology of the North, with exhibits of original historic artefacts from the Iron Age onwards, aiming to showcase the cultural heritage of the Reiving landscape of the Anglo-Scottish Borders. Established in 1978 by Brian and Maureen Moffatt, The Johnnie Armstrong Gallery and Borderlands Museum continues as a family-run enterprise.

A great weekend with daughter Julia at the International Armstrong Gathering at Gilnockie tower – one of the infamous st...
24/06/2026

A great weekend with daughter Julia at the International Armstrong Gathering at Gilnockie tower – one of the infamous strongholds of the warlord Johnnie Armstrong – launching our definitive new book on the historical legend himself!

The Outlaw Johnnie Armstrong

A contemporary look into the Border legend...

Where all the excitement of history is revealed
The action
The Ballads
The story of the breaking of Gavin Dunbars 1525 'Greit Curse' upon the Border Reivers!

Why has this incredible story never been made into a movie?
Read all about it!

Signed first editions available direct from

www.thecelticgoldsmith.com
Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H62MV897

Abigail and the Black Wolf of TarrasI haven't had time to launch this book properly yet – but here you go!An exciting Fo...
09/06/2026

Abigail and the Black Wolf of Tarras

I haven't had time to launch this book properly yet – but here you go!

An exciting Folk Tale from the Borders, written by myself and brought to life with the incredibly talented illustrator and original lovely person from Copshaw Holm – Donna Robertson Cuthbert!
facebook.com/DRCillustrations

Signed first editions available direct from www.thecelticgoldsmith.com or you can get a Kindle version from Amazon

Look out for some local readings!
And in the meanwhile – BEWARE THE WOLF! For...

Over The Hills of Tarras Moss
A dark phantom stalks by night upon the Moors...

For the Great Black wolf has returned
With a Hunger so vast
He might consume the World...

Can the last Wild Goat Herd of Tinnis Hill survive?
And what the Hell happened to Fingerless Will Nixons fingers?

All is revealed in the exciting adventures of Red Robin
Hob the Galloway Pony
And our Heroine

Abigail – Wild Goat of Tarras!

Happy Solstice 2025 good friends all!Time again to turn and burn the wheel,Shoot out the old year,And call the return of...
21/12/2025

Happy Solstice 2025 good friends all!

Time again to turn and burn the wheel,
Shoot out the old year,
And call the return of the beautiful sun.

Have a great Yuletide and Christmas!

Ive had a brief break from metalsmithing to dally with my first love of sculpting wood!The Greystoke Knight dates to cir...
31/10/2025

Ive had a brief break from metalsmithing to dally with my first love of sculpting wood!

The Greystoke Knight dates to circa 1480, and is a rare Image of a Border Knight.
The original carving can be found in the Museum, we like the image so much we decided to use it for the Museum sign.

Ill post again shortly when i get the time - the Knight opens a whole avenue of interesting discussion - although carved in 1480, he wears a unique transitional Great Basinet of an older form, of about 1420.

Thanks to Kathryn Tickell for her fantastic and inspiring Highway to Hermitage in the video - i listened to this on repeat while carving the Knight, imaging him thundering over the highways and byways o' the Borders!

Great to spend a bit of time sharing stories, tales, and Ballads of the Borders with the incredibly talented, and rising...
04/07/2025

Great to spend a bit of time sharing stories, tales, and Ballads of the Borders with the incredibly talented, and rising stars The Holiday Mystics - Meg, Sav, Jesse and Mike.
Hope to see you back in Scotland soon...

All the Best for 2025 Folks! What a start to the year with another Aurora on the Evening of News years day:)
03/01/2025

All the Best for 2025 Folks! What a start to the year with another Aurora on the Evening of News years day:)

The ancient Border custom of betrothal by Handfasting and vow renewal is now available for couples in the heart of the R...
15/07/2024

The ancient Border custom of betrothal by Handfasting and vow renewal is now available for couples in the heart of the Reiving landscape, here at the Borderlands Museum, Teviothead,

To the recital of an old Borders handfasting poem, this romantic ceremony takes place in front of Mary queen of Scots prayer chair, and an 8th century oathstone, and is sealed with the striking of a medieval anvil.

The Musuem today hosts relics of the Border Reivers, as well as images of Gods and Goddesses from the Celtic Iron Age, and artefacts from Border History, of which couples are given a private tour.

An old Blacksmiths Forge, the historic building also once hosted the school of Teviotheads Tom Jenkins, Britains first Black Schoolteacher from 1814 - 18.

More details at

https://www.thecelticgoldsmith.com/hand-fasting

In celebration of Mary’s Queen of Scots chair to returning to Scotland, piper Kathryn Tickell penned ‘The Highway to Hermitage’ the video includes arial footage taken along Marys Queens Mire, the prehistoric path through the heart o’ the hills…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HntoxQyuFDU

Valpurgis amongst the Hawthorn, blossom and leaf, with buckler and sword.Brooch, 18 carat yellow and white gold and silv...
01/05/2024

Valpurgis amongst the Hawthorn, blossom and leaf, with buckler and sword.
Brooch, 18 carat yellow and white gold and silver
May your month of May be merry
and the blossom be bright upon on your trees

Address

Hendersons Knowe
Teviothead
TD90LF

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+441450850237

Website

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