SCOTLAND HISTORY

Clan Eliott:

Origins of the Name:

The name Elliot or Eliott is believed to derive from the village of Eliot in Forfarshire although the Old English form of Elwold also appears in Scotland.

Clan History:

Little is known of the early history of Clan Eliott because few records survive. This could be because the Eliott's Castle Stobs was burned down in 1712.

14th Century:

It is known that in the time of King Robert I of Scotland that the Clan Eliott who lived in the north in Glenshire moved Teviotdale in the Scottish boarders. This unusual move was taken in order to protect King robert the Bruce's son who was also called Robert. This Robert Bruce had become Lord of Liddesdale. The previous Lord of Liddesdale, William de Soulis was serving life imprisonment for treason.

15th Century:

In 1476 the tenth chief of Clan Eliott was Robert Ellot of Redheugh.

16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars:

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars in the 16th Century chief Robert died when he led the Clan Eliot in support of King James IV of Scotland at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 fighting against the English. In 1565 Scott of Buccleuch of Clan Scott executed four men from Clan Eliott for cattle rustling.

17th Century:

Sir Gillbert Elliot of Stobs was made the Baronet of Scotia in 1666. Gilbert Elliott was convicted for High Treason in 1685 for his work towards religious liberty. He was only pardoned after the ascension of Oliver Cromwell. Gilbert was created Baronett in 1700 and conferred a Lord of Session in 1705 in the eighteenth century.

18th Century:

George, 4th Baronet was conferred 1st Earl of Minto, he also followed his father before him into politics and in 1794 was made Viceroy of Napoleon's Corsica Island. In 1807 George was also appointed the Governor General of India in the nineteenth century.

Clan Elphinstone:

Origins of the Name:

The surname Elphinstone is derived from the territory of Elphinstone in the parish of Tranent, meaning 'of Elphinstone.' The original people of this name are believed to have been known as 'de Erth'. Later still they were known as 'Elfinstun'.

14th Century & Robert the Bruce:

Sir John Elfinstun married Margarot Seton of Clan Seton she was also the neice of King Robert I of Scotland also well known as Sir Robert the Bruce.

15th Century:

A descendant, William Elfinstun, became rector of Kirkmichael at the age of twenty-five. He studied Civil and Canon Law in Paris, eventually becoming Professor of Law in that university. In 1484 he was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen and later Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, a post he held until the death of King James III of Scotland in June of 1489. In 1494 he was given a bull from Pope Alexander VI for founding the University of Aberdeen. He died in 1514.

16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars:

In the 16th Century during the Anglo-Scottish Wars a cousin of William Elfinstun called Sir Alexander Elphinstone led the Clan Elphinstone at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where he was slain, fighting in support of King James IV of Scotland Alexander's son also called Alexander led the Clan Elphinstone at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 where he was killed. The fourth Lord Elphinstone was appointed in 1599 as a judge of the Supreme Court of Scotland in 1599 and later Lord high Treasurer.

Post Clan History:

The eleventh Lord Eliphinstone was lieutenant governor of Edinburgh Castle. One of his younger brothers called George Keith Elphinstone was a successful and distinguished naval commander. The squadron of ships which served was used to protect British shipping interests off the eastern coast of America. In 1795 he was made vice admiral and commanded the fleet which captured the Cape of Good Hope and compelled the Dutch fleet to surrender without firing a gun. His reward was an Irish barony. He was later promoted to the rank of admiral, and created Baron Keith of Banheath, only to be advanced once more, to the rank of Viscount in 1814.

Battle of Waterloo:

William George Elphinstone, the Viscount's nephew was a Colonel and fought against the French at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The Clan Today:

the present Chief of Clan Elphinstone succeeded as 19th Lord Elphinstone in 1994 at the age of 14.

Clan Erskine:

Origin of name:

Erskine is an area to the south of the River Clyde and ten miles to the west of Glasgow. The name is believed to be ancient or Old British for green rising ground. In the 13th century during the reign of King Alexander II of Scotland the first known person of the name Erskine was Henry Erskine who was also the owner of the Barony of Erskine.

14th Century & Wars of Scottish Independence:

During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Erskine were supporters of King Robert the Bruce.

15th Century:

In 1411 the Earl of Mar, who was the chjief of Clan Erskine commanded the Lowland forces in support of the Duke of Albany that fought at the Battle of Harlaw against an army of Highlanders who were in support of MacDonald, Lord of the Isles. In 1435 Alexander, the Earl of Mar died and Sir Robert Erskine claimed the title. However the King withdrew the earldom in 1457 stating that it could only belong to a Royal Stuart. Ten years later Sir Robert was created the first Lord Erskine.

16th Century & Anglo Scottish Wars:

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the 4th 'Lord Erskine' led the Clan Erskine at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where he was slain. Mary Queen of Scots had been in the care of the 5th Lord Erskine and when he died she made the 6th Lord Erskine the Earl of Mar.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings:

At the begining of the Jacobite Uprisings it seemed likley that the Erskines would support the British government. However the chief of Clan Erskine who was also the 6th Earl of Mar had traveled to London in 1714 expecting the post of Secutary of State of Scotland. However he was not given the job and as a result he became a Jacobite. He then raised an army of over ten thousand men for the Jacobite cause. This force was not used to its potential during the Battle of Sheriffmuir on 13th Novemeber 1715 where the Jacobites were defeated. The Earl of Mar then fled Scotland to Saint Germains in France, whereupon he betrayed his Jacobite associates. He lost his line of the Earldom of Mar and it was not restored until 1824.