SCOTLAND HISTORY

Clan Ogilvy:

Origins of the Name:

The Oglivys are one of the most distinguished families in Scotland and take their name from Gillibride the second son of Gilliechriost, Earl of Angus. The name Ogilvy or Ogilvie derives from Gilbert one of the decsendants of the ancient Earls of Angus. The name is also believed to be derived from the Old British word Ocelfa meaning high plain.

14th and 15th Centuries:

Patrick de Olgilvy appears on the Ragman Roll swearing fealty to King Edward I of England in 1296. However his two sons supported King Robert I of Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The Ogilvy lands are found in Angus where the Ogilvy family were made hereditary sheriffs in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 15th century the Tower of Airlie was built as the castle of the Chief of Oglives. The Clan Ogilvy fought at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411 in support of the Duke of Albany. The Earl of Mar who commanded the Duke of Albany's forces was the son of Sir Walter Ogilvy who had been slain in a clan battle with the Clan Robertson in 1394. The Clan Ogilvy who were also supported by men from the Clan Oliphant, Clan Seton, Clan Gordon and men from the Clan Forbes of Pitsligo 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. During the 15th century the Clan Lindsay lost much of their land due to feuding with the Clan Ogilvy. Chief Alexander Lindsay, the 4th Earl of Crawford, also known as the Tiger Earl and Earl Beardie was badly defeated by the Clan Ogilvy and the Clan Gordon under the Earl of Huntly at Brechin in 1452.

16th Century & Anglo-Scottish Wars:

In the 16th century during the Anglo-Scottish Wars against the English the Clan Ogilvy fought at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 where the Chief's 4th eldest son called James was killed.

17th Century & Civil War:

During the Civil War the Clan Ogilvy supported the Royalist cause. They fought under James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose and fought with him at the Battle of Inverlochy (1645), the Battle of Kilsyth and Battle of Philiphaugh in 1648 where James Ogilvy 2nd Earl of Airlie was captured. His was imprisoned in St Andrews Castle but escaped one night before the day of his execution, disguised in his sisters clothes. The 'Bonnie Hoose o' Airlie' was destroyed in the Civil War by the Clan Campbell and this tragic incident is described in a ballad from the time.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings:

The Ogilvy Clan supported the Jacobite Uprisings in 1715 to 1716 and 1745 to 1746. A regiment from the Ogilvy Clan fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. After their defeat the chief of the Olgilvy Clan escaped to France and enterd royal service there. By this point in time the title of Earl of Ogilvie had been lost and was not restored by parliment until 1896.

Clan Oliphant:

Origins of the Name:

The Oliphants were a Norman family who first held lands in England around Northampton. David de Olifard is commonly held to be the progenitor of the clan. In the 12th century he was granted lands in Roxburghshire, Scotland by the Earl of Huntingdon who later became King David I of Scotland. He was granted these lands for saving the King's life at the Battle of Winchester in 1114.

Wars of Scottish Independence:

In the 14th century during the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Oliphant defended Stirling Castle against King Edward I of England. However Sir William Oliphant the chief of Clan Oliphant was captured and sent to the Tower of London. He was later released and rewarded land at Gask in Perthshire. Sir William's son Sir Walter Oliphant married the youngest daughter of King Robert the Bruce.

15th Century & Clan Conlicts:

The Clan Oliphant fought on the side of the Clan Ogilvy who were also supported by men from the Clan Seton, Clan Gordon and men from the Clan Forbes of Pitsligo 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.

16th Century & Anglo-Scottish Wars:

During the Anglo-Scottish Wars the Clan Oliphant fought against the English at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513 where the heir to the chieftenship of the clan was killed. The third Lord Oliphant was taken prisoner at the Battle of Solway Moss in 1542 and was later released for a large ransom. During the 16th century the Clan Oliphant were staunch supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots and fought for her at the Battle of Langside in 1568. The chief's eldest son was implicated in the conspiracy known as the Ruthven Raid led by the Clan Ruthven, to kidnap the young King James VI of Scotland and was therefore exiled in 1582. The ship in which he sailed in was lost at sea.

17th Century & Civil War:

His brother, who succeeded to the title, dissipated the entire estates, but some of the family lands were saved when one of his cousins purchased from him the Gask estate. He died without male issue, but the title was bestowed by King Charles I upon the nearest male cousin, Patrick Oliphant. The ninth Lord Oliphant led the clan at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 and was afterwards imprisoned.

18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings: The 9th Lord Oliphant also rose up in support of the Jacobites during the 1715 uprising he led the Clan Oliphant against the British government forces at the Battle of Sherrifmuir in 1715 where the Jacobites were defeated. The Clan Olphant remained devoted to the Jacobite cause and the 10th and last Lord Oliphant was actively involved in the 1745 to 1746 Jacobite Uprising. The Oliphants fought at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745 and the Battle of Falkirk in 1746 where government forces were defeated. The Oliphants also fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 where the Jacobites were defeated. The chief of the clan, Lord Oliphant fled to Sweden and ended up taking refuge in France.