I have been very fortunate to have been given a copy of "History of the Johnstones 1191-1909" by C.L. Johnstone. To say that I am finding the book fascinating would be an understatement. As one reads the modern spin on this period in history one is most often lead to believe that our Border Clan and the Border families were all slaughterers, blackmailers, reivers, etc. who were never happier than when they were riding and wreaking havoc upon the countryside. Fortunately there are some voices from the past who can still talk with us via their writings about the Scottish side of this time period in history. One such exerpt follows from page 2: "...It was the Border warriors who for centuries preserved Scotland's integrity and bore the brunt of every invasion, and Camden, writing in the time of James VI., points out that among these the Johnstouns [sic] were the most noted. They owed their civilisation, superior in the Middle Ages to that prevailing in Galloway and the Northern Highland, to the Norman blood pervading the chief families. The adaptable Normans intermarried with the natives of the districts where they received lands, and introduced law, order and a rude justice." I will try to post other pieces as I come across them - hopefully others will find them of interest. Good hunting, Cliff. Johnston "May the best you've ever seen, Be the worst you'll ever see;" from A Scots Toast by Allan Ramsay