longtown...
The orderly feel of Longtown today belies its turbulent past. The town was remodelled in the 18th century, but its history goes back into the mists of time to the lawless Border clans of the Debatable Lands and beyond to the time of King Arthur.
This rugged and sparsely populated area has been fought over for centuries - by warring Romano-British tribes, as a result of territorial struggles between England and Scotland and between feuding families of reivers.
about the area
History & heritage
Longtown's location near the border of England and Scotland has influenced its history from earliest times
Art & culture
Eden Benchmarks: Ten carved stone sculptures along the length of the River Eden
Natural environment
The Solway coast's outstanding landscapes, diverse habitats and rich heritage have gained it recognition as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Famous Reiver Descendants
...
Richard Nixon (1913-1994)
President of the United States from 1969 to 1974. Nixon resigned in the wake of the Watergate scandal after claiming ‘I am not a crook'. Related to the Nixon clan of Liddesdale.
Neil Armstrong (b. 1930)
Astronaut who made history on being the first man on the moon in 1969. Related to the Armstrongs and Elliots of Liddesdale.
Billy Graham (b. 1918)
Christian evangelist. A direct descendant of the notorious blackmailer, Richie Graham of Brackenhill Tower.
TS Eliot (1888-1965)
Poet and playwright born in St Louis, Missouri, but his family roots can be traced back to the Elliot clan of Liddesdale.
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)
Inventor of the telephone. Directly descended from the reiving Bell family.
