Tourneyholm and Border Reivers
Tourneyholm, Kershopefoot This evening, I am posting information on the site known as Tourneyholm which lies on the Scottish side of the England-Scotland border, about four miles south of Newcastleton . Tourneholm played an important role during the time of the Border Reivers. The Reivers were a group of families who lived in what was called the Debateable Lands (i.e. an area whose ownership disputed between England and Scotland) in what is now Southern Scotland between the 14th and 17th centuries AD. The key areas were Liddesdale, Redesdale and Tynedale. During the medieval period this border region was generally wild, lawless and economically poor. These conditions triggered self-preservation centred on family groups or clans whose allegiances fluctuated but not necessarily to the national governments of Scotland or England. Reiving is a term used to describe raiding for cattle, sheep and any other assets which were mobile or could easily be transported. In the lo...