SCOTLAND HISTORY

Clan Farquharson:

History:

Farquhar Shaw's son married Isobel Stewart, heiress of Invercauld, however, it was their son, Finla Mor who has become known as the first real Farquharson. He was killed during the Battle of Pinkie in 1547, aged 60, while performing the duty of the King's Standard Bearer. His nine sons ensured that the clan became numerous and influential. In 1595 the clan entered a bond of manrent with the Clan MacKintosh, so also associating themselves with the Chattan Confederation. At the end of the sixteenth century the Erskines attempted to reclaim the Earldom of Mar. Jon Erskine, who styled himself Earl of Mar, built Braemar Castle in 1628 to defend himself against the claims of the Farquharsons. The castle passed into the hands of the Farquharsons and remains the clan seat to this day.

The Jacobite Uprisings:

The Farquharsons were staunch supporters of the House of Stuart and in 1689, John Farquharson of Inverey declared for John Graham of Claverhouse, Bonnie Dundee. He burned Braemar Castle and was a source of irritation to the government until his death in 1698. During the 1715 Rebellion, John Farquharson of Invercauld supported the Clan Chattan and was a colonel of the regiment in support of James Francis Edward Stuart. During the 1745 Jacobite Rising, Angus, the chief of Clan MacKintosh, was a serving member of the British Black Watch however while he was away on duty his wife, Lady Anne Mackintosh, daughter of Invercauld was a supporter of Charles Edward Stuart and ensured that 350 members of the Clan Chattan Regiment fought at the Battle of Culloden on the side of the Jacobites. During her husband's absence, she successfully rallied the Clan Mackintosh to their Chattan allies including Clan Farquarson. Angus was captured at the Battle of Prestonpans and was paroled to his wife. She famously greeted him with the words, "Your servant, captain" to which he replied, "your servant, colonel" thereby giving her the nickname Colonel Anne.

Septs:

Barrie Bowman Brebner Christie Christison Christy Coates Coats Coutts Cromar Farquhar Ferries Findlay Findlayson Findlaison Finlay Finlayson Gracie Grassick Greusach Hardie Hardy Kellas Kerracher Leys Lion(s) Lyon(s) MacArtney MacGaig MacCartney MacCuaig MacEaracher MacErcher MacErracher MacFarquhar MacFerchar MacHardie MacHardy MacKerchar MacKerracher MacKindlay MacKinlay MacKinley MacWade Paterson Patterson Reiach Reoch Riach Tawse

Clan Fergusson :

Origin of name:

The origin of the name Fergusson or Ferguson, "son of Fergus" (MacFhearguis in Gaelic), is shrouded by the mists of time. Medieval historians recorded a tradition that the founder of Scotland's monarchy was a Fergus who lived in Ireland about 300 B.C. Traditions tell that by 500 A.D. the Scots under Fergus Mór mac Eirc had left Northern Ireland and became established in Dál Riata, now Argyll. From Fergus Mor, with a few early exceptions, descend all subsequent kings and queens of the Scots, including the present Queen of Britain. St. Columba of Iona (6th century A.D.) was a scion of Fergus Mor's royal line.

Clan History:

In one of the oldest documents of ancient Scottish history, the Senchus fer n-Alban, Ferguson is the only modern clan name mentioned.[citation needed] Some writers believe the Fergusons had their day as a powerful clan prior to the 13th century and became dispersed from Argyll (Dalriada) as the Scots spread into other parts of Scotland. Before the 18th century, at least five groups of Fergusons possessed lands and lived in the style of a clan under their respective chiefs in Argyll, Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Dumfriesshire, and Ayrshire. Today, the Kilkerran Fergusons in Ayreshire and the family of Ferguson of Baledmund and the Fergusons of Balquhidder, both in Perthshire, are still owners of extensive lands. The name Ferguson (or Fergusson) and its history spreads from Argyle and Kintyre on the west coast of Scotland (then known as Dál Riata), but also as far across as Antrim in northeastern Ireland under Fergus Mór mac Eirc. Evidence suggests that the clan also spread right across the Scottish Highlands as far as Dunkeld. Through emigation, either forced or voluntary, the name Ferguson and its rich heritage have travelled throughout the world. As with world history much of the Clan Ferguson history has been lost through time and translation. It is generally believed all Fergusons claim descent from a very early king of the Scots, Fergus Mór mac Eirc. The Scotti were well established in Dál Riata (Argyll and the islands of Jura, Islay and Iona) by 500 A.D. The Scots spread from Ireland in the third century throughout Caledonia leavening the country around the ancient seats on the Tay and the Earn, spreading into Carrick and Galloway. According to Medieval historians Fergus was the founder of the Scottish monarchy. Ayrshire and Dumfries Fergussons alike claim descent from Fergus of Galloway. The grandfather of Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick and in turn great-great-grandfather to Robert Bruce, Fergus, restored the see of Whithorn and founded Dundrennan Abbey during the reign of David I and Malcolm IV. He died as a monk at Holyrood in 1161. Through Robert Bruce passes the line of the Royal Family of Britain. It was the 1st Earl of Carrick's signature that might suggest the origins of the Fergusson surname, Duncan, son of Gilbert, the son of Fergus, hence MacFhearguis. It is known with certainty that by the 13th century there were men in widely separated districts of Scotland which called themselves "sons of Fergus". It is recorded in the Annals of Ulster there was in 1216 a day of disaster to the "Clan Fergusa" at the hand of the Mormaer of Lennox's son. Through the passing of the ages however the particulars of the story have been lost. Robert I of Scotland granted certain lands in Ayrshire to Fergus MacFergus, and in 1466 John Ferguson resigned a portion of his estate to Fergus Ferguson (of Kilkerran), his son, and Janet Kennedy, his wife. From this line stems Sir Charles Fergusson, 9th Baronet, and Baron of Kilkerran who holds the undifferenced arms as Chief of the Name. The name is also common in Ulster where there have been several landed families, some claiming to have been planted there from Ayrshire in the 17th century. Others of the name in Antrim and nearby counties descend from people who did not migrate to Dalriada in the 5th century. The Anglicised "Fergusson" was widely used by the reign of James IV. The shortened form of the name with the single "s" was initiated by record clerks before the 1600's. The common spelling of the day was "Fergussoun" and by the reign of Charles II, "Fergussone".

Civil War:

The dispersed Clan Fergusson has not blazed the battlefield with glories won by the sword. However, "Sons of Fergus" fought with Clan Bruce in the Scottish Civil War and the English Civil War. Some Perthshire Fergusons fought alongside James Graham 1st Marquess of Montrose in 1644.

Jacobite Uprisings:

The oldest soldier in Prince Charles Edward's Army at the Battle of Prestonpans in the '45 was an 80-year-old Ferguson.

18th century:

In the 18th century the head of the Kilkerran family came gradually to be regarded as the chief of all the Fergus(s)ons. This family has produced notable statesmen, military leaders, lawyers, writers and agricultural improvers. The present Chief is Sir Charles Ferguson of Kilkerran, 9th Baronet, who lives in the ancestral home near Maybole, Ayrshire.

World Wars:

In modern times and during World Wars I and II many Fergus(s)ons from Scotland and abroad were distinguished military leaders. Clan Ferguson has been termed a "gentle force" that gained respected prominence from live and let live. Recently, however, a clansman, after looking at McIan's depiction of "The Ferguson" as a barefooted, Claymore-wielding, helmeted warrior wearing the ancient Lein-croich, or saffron colored shirt of the Celts, remarked that "if Clan Ferguson is a "gentle force" he was glad the warrior was one of us and not a foeman!"

Septs:

The Gaelic spelling has been corrupted through translation into the forms, MacFergus, MacFerries, and MacFerris. Since the 'f' and 'g' are silent in the old language such variations as MacErries, MacHerries, MacKerras (especially common in Argyll and Australia) and even MacIrish were formed.

Clan Forbes:

Origin of name:

Forbes is a parish in the Aberdeenshire area. A reliable tradition tells that the 'Braes o’ Forbes' were once uninhabitable because of bears living in the area. Oconachar, founder of the clan, killed the bears and claimed the land as ‘first occupier’. The present chief still holds part of the Lordship of these Forbes lands.

13th Century:

In 1271, the chief of the time, Duncan de Forbes, obtained a charter from Alexander III for the land, confirming his claim.

14th Century:

In the fourteenth century John de Forbes of the Black Lip had four sons with whom the family expanded widely and prosperously. William began the Pitsligo line, John was progenitor of the branch of Polquhoun and Alistair of Brux was ancestor of extensions in Skellater and Inverernan.

15th Century & Clan Conflicts:

By the 15th century there was a point where, from the coasts of Banff and Buchan, to the mountains of Aberdeenshire, there were one hundred and fifty Forbes houses and estates. Alexander, the eldest of the brothers, fought in the 1411 Battle of Harlaw against the invaders from the Isles, led by Donald. He was created Lord Forbes by James I around 1444. To this day the Lordship is regarded as Scotland’s premier. His own three sons would extend the family with the branches of Corsindale and Monymusk, Corse, and later the Baronets of Craigievar. The Forbes of Pitsligo fought in support of the Clan Ogilvy who were also supported by men from the Clan Oliphant, Clan Gordon and men from the Clan Seton at the Battle of Arbroath on the 24th January 1445. Their enemey was the Master of Crawford and his Clan Lindsay who advanced with over one thousand men. The Earl of Crawford himself was the father of the Master of Crawford. The Earl rode inbetween the two armies in an attempt to call a truce. However, an illadvised Ogilvie, thinking that this was the start of the Lindsay's attack, threw his spear at the Earl, hitting him in the mouth and killing him instantly. So the battle began which went in the Clan Lindsay's favour. Here fell Ogilvie of Inverquharty, Forbes of Pitsligo, Brucklay of Gartley, Gordon of Borrowfield, and Oliphant of Aberdalgie, along with 500 or so Ogilvie's. However, the Lindsays lost a disproportionate amount of men, most notably the Earl himself. Clan Forbes was, through the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, constantly at feud with their powerful, predatory neighbours the Clan Gordon, whose chief was the Earl of Huntly. The consistent murders by both sides escalated, fuelled with the excuses of religious self-importance.

16th Century & Clan Conflicts:

The feud with Clan Gordon which had been carried on for a long time reached a climax in the 1520's with murders committed by both sides occuring constantly. One of the most prominent of those killed by the Forbes action, Seton of Meldrum, was a close connection of the chief of the Gordons, the Earl of Huntly. The Earl of Huntly soon became involved in a plot aimed at the Master of Forbes (son of John, the 6th Lord Forbes), who was heavily implicated in the Seton murder. In 1536 Chief of Clan Gordon, the Earl of Huntly accused the Master of Forbes of conspiring to assassinate King James V of Scotland while visiting Aberdeen by shooting at him with a cannon. The Master of Forbes was tried and executed, but within days his sentence was revoked and the Clan Forbes family restored to favour. However the damage to relations between the Clan Forbes and Clan Gordon was irreparable. Attacks by each family and their supporters were carried out more or less continuously throughout the remainder of the century, reducing Aberdeenshire to an unparalleled state of lawlessness. 1571, Feud with Clan Gordon continued, During the 15th and 16th centuries the Clan was engaged in a long and bitter struggle against the Clan Gordon. By 1571 the feud had got to the point where other clans began taking sides. The Clan Leslie, Clan Irvine and Clan Seton who had their own feuds with the Forbeses joined forces with Clan Gordon. However opponents of the Gordons such as Clan Keith, Clan Fraser and Clan Crichton joined forces with Clan Forbes. The feud culminated in two full scale battles in 1571; The Battle of Tillieangus and the Battle of Craibstone. It was at the Battle of Tillieangus that the 6th Lord Forbes's youngest son known as Black Aurther Forbes was killed. Legend has it that "he stooped down to quench his thirst and one of the Gordons gave him his death blow through an open joint in his armour". 1571, The Castle Druminnor, then Lord Forbes's seat, was itself plundered and sacked and in the same month the Gordons followed this up by the atrocious massacre of 27 Forbeses of Towie at Corgarff. Two acts of Parliament were required to force the clans to lay down their arms but the struggle had drawn the Forbeses deep into debt making it necessary for them to sell much of their land. Clan Forbes along with Clan MacKintosh and others were defeated at the Battle of Glenlivet in 1594.

Alliances In the early 17th century:

Clan Forbes had a number of alliances by marriage or friendship. Among these was a strong bond to the Clan Burnett of Leys. The Forbes crest is emblazoned in plasterwork on the ceiling of the great hall of Muchalls Castle built by Alexander Burnett.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings:

During the 1715 Jacobite rebellion, Duncan Forbes of Culloden, Lord President of the Court of Session, was in opposition to the Jacobite cause. He is remembered however, for his efforts to win the rebels better treatment from their captors. Speaking out for the people after Culloden, "Butcher" Cumberland responded with the sneer, that old woman talked to me about humanity. A memorial to Duncan Forbes stands in the Parliament Hall at Edinburgh.

Clan Forrester :

Origin of name:

It is believed that the Clan Forrester is of Celtic origin. The founder of the clan is believed to be a man called Marnin Forrester who held lands in Dunipace, Stirlingshire in about 1200. Sir Adam Forrester is the first confirmed Forrester from contemporary evidence and is also regarded as the first confirmed founder of the Clan Forrester. He was an ambassador, merchant, Provost of Edinburgh, Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland and Deputy Chamberlain of Scotland. In 1376 he aquired the estate of Corstorphine in Midlothian where Corstorphine Castle once stood.

14th Century & Wars of Scottish Independence:

During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Forrester supported King Robert the Bruce of Scotland and fought against the English at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. A daughter of the chief of Clan Forrester married Robert de Munro of Foulis, chief of the Clan Munro.

15th Century & Clan Conflicts:

Sir Adam's son, Sir John Forrester also became Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland , Chamberlain of Scotland and Keeper of the Household to King James I of Scotland Together they fought in support of the King in 1402. The Clan Forrester also fought at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488.

16th Century & Anglo-Scottish Wars:

In the 16th century during the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Forrester led by the leader of a cadet branch Sir John Forrester of Niddry fought against the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where he was slain. The Clan also fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 where the seventh chief. Sir James Forrester was there slain. The Clan Forrester also fought at the Battle of Langside in 1568 and the Battle of Ivry in 1590.

17th Century & Civil War:

The tenth chief Sir George Forrester was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia and raised to Lord Forrester of Corstophine in 1633. On his death the title became dormant and still awits to be claimed. James and William Baille, the sons in law of the first Lord Forrester assumed the name and arms of Forrester and inherited the title under a regrant of the peerage of Scotland. During the Civil War the Clan Forrester supported the Royalist cause. As a result James, chief of Clan Forrester was fined heavily by Oliver Cromwell and the estates became burdened with debts. James was murderdby his mistress, Mrs Christian Nimmo, when his brother who was mad, inherrited the title.

18th Century & War of the Spanish Succession:

At the begining of the 18th Century the Clan Forresters fought for the British Government during the War of the Spanish Succession. The chief who was the fith Lord Forrester was Colonel George Forrester of the Grenadier Guards and Life Guards. The Clan Forrester fought against the French at the Battle of Oudenarde in 1708 and the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709. [edit] 18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings During the Jacobite Uprisings the Clan Forrester supported the British Government. The Forresters fought and helped defeat the Jacobites at the Battle of Preston in 1715.

Clan Forsyth :

Origin of name:

The first recorded person of the name was William de Firsith on the Ragman Roll in Berwick on the 28th August 1296. Much of the records of Clan Forsyth were destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in the Civil War, therefore little is known.

Wars of Scottish Independence:

In the 14th century during the Wars of Scottish Independence Robert de Forsyth received lands from King Robert I of Scotland. Roberts de Forsyth's son called Osbet Forsyth led the clan against the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. In 1364 the accounts of the 'Customers' of Stirling were rendered by Fersith the Clerk who was probably Robert's brother and who was granted ú100 per annum from the lands of the Polmaise Marischal by Robert II.

15th Century:

In 1418 Robert Forsyth renderd the accounts of the Burgh of Stirling. In 1432 his son who was also called Robert became Burgess of Stirling and a Baille in 1470. Duncan Forsyth and David Forsyth became Burgesses in 1497 and descendants of the family settled in Stirling and held civic office for centuries. In 1488 David Forsyth the now Burgess of Stirling bought the land of the Dykes also known as Hallhill which is near Strathaven near Lanarkshire. The castle there had fallen into ruin but it was not demolished until 1828.

Anglo-Scottish Wars:

In the 16th century the Clan Forsyth led by Alexander Forsyth fought the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where Alexander was slain. Alexander's grandson James Forsyth married Elizabeth Leslie in around 1520. Elizabeth was the granddaughter of George Leslie who was the Chief of Clan Leslie and the 4th Earl of Rothes. Elizabeth was also the great granddaughter of King James III of Scotland. In 1540 the family left Dykes and moved to Inchnoch Castle in Monkland which was also in Lanarkshire.

17th Century:

In 1621 William Forsyth had become a member of Forres in the Scottish Parliament.

Clan Fraser :

Origin of name:

The Frasers probably come from Anjou, in France, and the name may derive either from Fredarius, from Fresel or from Freseau. It has even been suggested that they descend from a tribe called Friselii in Roman Gaul, whose badge was a strawberry plant.

Appearance and Early Movement in Scotland:

In 1160, Simon Fraser held lands in East Lothian at Keith. In that same year, he made a gift of a church at Keith in East Lothian to the monks at Kelso Abbey, the first recorded appearance of the Frasers in Scotland. This is our earliest record of Frasers, yet there exist countless stories and folk tales as to the origins of the Clan Fraser. Another story, favoured by Archibald Campbell Fraser, and Sir George MacKenzie, Lord Advocate of Scotland, derives their descent from Pierre Fraser, Seigneur de Troile, who came to Scotland with the ambassadors of Charlemagne, around 807, mentioning the arms of the family, which are to this day, a field azure, semi, with strawberries flowers, or fraises. The only difference is that the arms once contained more strawberry flowers. Pierre was made Thegn of the Isle of Man in 814, and one group of Frasers still live there today under the Gaelic name of Frizel. His direct descendants were to become the lords of Oliver Castle. Another similar story can be found here. One which tells a tale invovling William the Lion can be found here The Frasers moved into Tweeddale in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and from there into the counties of Stirling, Angus, Inverness and Aberdeen.

Scottish Wars of Independence:

Battle of Roslin 1303, Sir Simon Fraser (Pater, to distinguish him from his son, Filius) fought with Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence. He is famously celebrated for having defeated the English on three separate occasions in one day at the Battle of Roslin. It is thought that this is what the three castles on the Lovat coat of arms represent. Eventually, however, he was captured by the English and executed with great cruelty by King Edward in 1306, in the same barbaric fashion as Wallace. Battle of Bannockburn 1314, Simon's cousin, Sir Alexander Fraser of Cowie, was much more fortunate. He fought at Bannockburn, married Bruce's sister, and became Chamberlain of Scotland. The Frasers of Philorth trace their lineage from Alexander, but it is from Alexander's younger brother, Sir Simon Fraser (Pater), that the Clan Fraser descends.

A New Home:

The magnificent remains of Beauly Priory.Sir Simon acquired the Bisset Lands around Beauly when he won the hand of its heiress, and these lands became the family home. A record from 1367 describes Hugh Fraser as ‘Lord of Lovat and portioner of Ard’, the first known connection the Frasers had with Lovat land. By 1422 the Frasers of Lovat had extended their lands to include Stratherrick by Loch Ness, together with part of Glenelg. As late as the middle 14th century a branch of the Frasers had erected a towerhouse stronghold overlooking the North Sea in Kincardineshire, which later became known as Muchalls Castle. Although the exact date of creation is uncertain, some time between 1456 and 1464, Hugh Fraser was raised to the peerage as Lord Lovat or Lord Fraser of Lovat. Around 1511, the chiefs established their seat at the site of their last three hereditary castles. The first was destroyed in the thirteenth, Castle Dounie was burned down in 1746 as a result of the Clan's participation in the Jacobite risings (see below). The present Beaufort Castle is relatively modern, being in the Scottish Barronial style. The castle was sold by the Lord Lovat, to repay debts incurred by his son, Simon Augustine Fraser, Master of Lovat, in 1994. However, his son, the present Lord Lovat, has vowed to buy the ancestral home back.

Clan Wars:

As most all Highlanders, the Frasers have been involved in countless instances of Clan warfare, particularly against the Macdonalds. Fraser lands are shown in blue. This map is accurate to the acts of parliament 1587 & 1594. Click to enlarge.Two Fraser war cries have been largely recognized, both in Gaelic. The first, "Caisteal Dhuni" (Castle Dounie/Downie) refers to the ancestral Castle and Clan seat, which once existed near the present Beaufort Castle. The second is "A Mhor-fhaiche" (The Great Field). The Frasers fought a great clan battle against the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald in 1544, Blar-ne-Léine, in Gaelic, the Battle of the Shirts, over the disputed chiefship of Clan Ranald. The Frasers, as part of a large coalition, backed a son of the 5th Chief, Ranald Gallda (the Stranger), which the MacDonalds found unacceptable. Prevented from battle by the Earl of Argyll, the 300 Frasers were ambushed on their march home by 500 MacDonalds. Only five Frasers and eight MacDonalds are said to have survived the bloody engagement. Both the Lovat Chief, Lord Lovat and his son and heir were amongst the dead and were buried at Beauly Priory. Despite these atrocities, the Frasers were stronger than ever before within a hundred years. Robert Mor Munro, 15th chief of Clan Munro , was a staunch supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots, and he consequently was treated favourably by her son, James VI. Robert was also a faithful friend of Mary. Buchanan states, when the unfortunate princess went to Inverness in 1562, that: "as soon as they heard of their sovereign's danger, a great number of the most eminent Scots poured in around her, especially the Frasers and Munros, who were esteemed the most 'valiant of the clans inhabiting those countries in the north.' " These two clans took Inverness Castle for the Queen, which had refused her admission. The Queen later hanged the governor, a Gordon who had refused her admission. In 1571 the Clan Fraser joined forces with the Clan Forbes in their feud against the Clan Gordon. The Forbes were also joined by Clan Keith and Clan Crichton. The Gordons were also joined by Clan Leslie, Clan Irvine and Clan Seton. The feud between the Gordons and Forbes which had gone on for centuries culminated in two full scale battles: The Battle of Tillieangus and the Battle of Craibstone. It was at the Battle of Tillieangus that the 6th Lord Forbes's youngest son known as Black Aurther Forbes was killed. Legend has it that "he stooped down to quench his thirst and one of the Gordons gave him his death blow through an open joint in his armour". A battle took place between the Clan Fraser and Clan Logan at Kessock where Gilligorm the Chief of Clan Logan was killed.

Call to Arms & Civil War:

Traditionally, Frasers wear small branches of Yew in their caps.Around then the Chiefship was in dispute between the Frasers of Philorth and another branch, which also came from Tweeddale, the Frasers of Muchal-in-Mar. Castle Fraser, their seat, was built in the early 17th century by Andrew Fraser, who was created Lord Fraser in the reign of Charles II. The peerage expired with the fourth Lord Fraser, who died in 1716 while on the run as a result of his participation in The Fifteen. The first two sons of Andrew, the 2nd Lord Fraser were thought to have died in the Battle of Dunbar (1650) in 1650, however in reality they were taken prisoner and sent to America, where they were placed into servitude. James and William Fraser changed their name to Frissell to protect themselves from Oliver Cromwell. James Frissell was placed in Roxbury and William in the Carolinas. Together, the two of them are responsible for almost all of the Frissells in America. During the Civil War of 1649, the Clan Munro and the Clan Fraser again took Inverness Castle. This time they were also joined by the Clan Urquhart and the Clan MacKenzie, who they had recently made peace with. They were all opposed to the authority of the current parliament. They assaulted the town and took the castle. They then expelled the garrison and raised the fortifications. However, on the approach of the parliamentary forces led by General Leslie, all of the clans retreated back into Ross-shire. Over the next year, several skirmishes took place between these parties.

Jacobite Risings:

Simon "the Fox" Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, 1668. The Fox was Chief during the Jacobite risings.

1715 to 1716: During the Jacobite Uprisings of 1715 to 1716 the Clan Fraser supported the British government. In 1715 Simon Fraser of Lovat (who had been outlawed and in exile), put pressure on the Jacobite garrison in Inverness, which was delivered upon the very day when the Battle of Sheriffmuir was fought and another Jacobite force was defeated at the Battle of Preston. Soon after this 31 year old Chief Colonel Robert Munro of Foulis marched into the town of Inverness with 400 Munros and took over control as governor from Fraser.

1745 to 1746: However the infamous Simon the Fox was also chief during The '45, and supported the Jacobites and Charles Edward Stuart, contrary to his action during The Fifteen (though, his clan did indeed rally for Jamie). Frasers were on the front lines of the Jacobite army at the Battle of Falkirk (1746), and the Battle of Culloden in 1746. [edit] Culloden At the Battle of Culloden, Frasers made up the largest Centre Regiment of the Front line, with 400 men under Charles Fraser of Inverallochy (the Fox was, conveniently, not present at the battle, reportedly trying to gather dispersed Clansmen to fight). Being on the front line, the Frasers were one of the few units to actually close with Government forces, breaking through Barrell’s regiment with 800-900 other Highlanders (Atholl men, Camerons, Stewarts of Appin), the ferocious Frasers were massacred by the Government second line. Shortly after the Battle of Culloden, Simon the Fox watched his castle go down in flames.

Aftermath:

In 1746 Castle Dounie was burnt to the ground, while the Fox was on the run. He was tried for treason and executed in London on 9th April 1747, and his estates and titles were forfeited to the Crown. After Culloden, Castle Dounie was replaced by a small square building costing £300 in which the Royal Commissioner resided until 1774, when some of the forfeited Lovat estates were granted by an Act of Parliament to his son, Simon Fraser (1726-1782), by then a major general, in recognition of his military service to the Crown and the payment of some £20,000. Later, two modest wings were added. On the death of General Fraser’s younger half-brother, Colonel Archibald Campbell Fraser of Lovat (1736-1815), without legitimate surviving male issue, the Lovat estates were transferred, by entail, to Thomas Alexander Fraser of Strichen(1802-1875), a distant cousin who was descended from Thomas Fraser of Knockie & Strichen (1548-1612), second son of Alexander Fraser, 4th Lord Lovat (1527-1557). Knockie was sold about 1727 to Hugh Fraser of Balnain (1702-1735). The Fox's son, Simon Fraser escaped punishment, and was pardoned - later raising a Fraser regiment for the British army which fought in Canada in the 1750s, including Quebec. Charles Fraser was mortally wounded and found by General Hawley on the field, who ordered one of his aides, a young James Wolfe to finish him off with a pistol. Wolfe refused, so Hawley got a common soldier to do it. We also know the fate of some of the clansmen. David Fraser of Glen Urquhart, who was a deaf-mute had, it was said, charged and killed seven redcoats, but was captured and died in prison. John Fraser, also called ‘MacIver’ was shot in the knee, taken prisoner and put before a firing squad, but was then rescued by a British officer, Lord Boyd, who was sick of the slaughter. Another John Fraser, who was Provost of Inverness tried to get fair treatment for the prisoners.