I am currently researching my family history. The aim is to find the link back to my Scottish ancestors.

My father told us that we were descended from Scottish horse thieves. During lockdown, I found the story of the 'Ane Black Horse.' This was a horse that a band of Wamphray Johnstones stole from Lord Crichton. This was immortalised in the ballad: 'The Lads of Wamphray.'

This led to the Vattle of Dryfe Sands against the Maxwells. The Johnstones won, despite being outnumbered. This was a Pyrrhic victory, however, as it led King James VI of Scotland to disband the border clans and send them to the Ulster and Virginia Plantations after he became King James I of England and Ireland.

My father was telling the truth after all. I just wish I had found this out while he was still alive, but I can tell the story now to honour his memory. I have written a book about it called 'My Kingdom for a Horse' because the theft of this hirse led to the beginnings of the United Kingdom. I am currently looking for a publisher.

I am currently researching my family history. The aim is to find the link back to my Scottish ancestors.

My father told us that we were descended from Scottish horse thieves. During lockdown, I found the story of the 'Ane Black Horse.' This was a horse that a band of Wamphray Johnstones stole from Lord Crichton. This was immortalised in the ballad: 'The Lads of Wamphray.'

This led to the Vattle of Dryfe Sands against the Maxwells. The Johnstones won, despite being outnumbered. This was a Pyrrhic victory, however, as it led King James VI of Scotland to disband the border clans and send them to the Ulster and Virginia Plantations after he became King James I of England and Ireland.

My father was telling the truth after all. I just wish I had found this out while he was still alive, but I can tell the story now to honour his memory. I have written a book about it called 'My Kingdom for a Horse' because the theft of this hirse led to the beginnings of the United Kingdom. I am currently looking for a publisher.