Barony of Craigie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The coat of arms of the Baron of Craigie |
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| Crest | a dragon passant Gules charged of a lily Argent |
| Blazon | Purpure, a chevron between in chief two falcons Volant Argent and in a base a Star of David Or |
| Motto | Qui servat vitae salvet mundum, Latin for "He who saves a life saves the world" |
The Barony of Craigie is a special historical title in Scotland. It's like a very old land ownership and leadership role. The lands of Craigie are located in and around the city of Dundee.
Long ago, a barony was an area of land where a local leader, called a baron, helped the king rule. Barons had important powers, like managing local courts. They could even ask people living on their land to join the army.
However, in 1747, the Scottish Parliament took away most of the barons' powers. This happened because some barons used their influence to support rebellions against the king.
Today, the title and rights of the Barony of Craigie are held by The Much Honoured Rabbi Robert Owen Thomas III. He is known as the 1st Baron of Craigie.
Contents
Location of Craigie
The Lands of Craigie
The area known as "Craigie" has been called that since before the year 1534. Sometimes, old maps spelled it "Kragy." The name "Craigie" likely comes from a word meaning "rocky landscape."
The old lands of the Barony of Craigie are in the eastern part of Dundee, Scotland. They are near major roads like the A929 and A972. Part of the A930 road also starts in what was once Craigie.
Over time, some lands from other areas, like Barry and Woodhill, became part of the Barony of Craigie. Today, much of Craigie is built up with houses and buildings within Dundee. However, some parts still look much like they did centuries ago.
In 1881, the lands of Craigie were described as "excellent land, a good house, with a new little park." This shows it was a nice place to live.
Craigie House: The Baron's Home
The main home of the Barony of Craigie was called Craigie House. It was also known as Wallace Craigie House or The House of Craigie. The first Baron of Craigie, James Guthrie, or his son, built this manor house. It was located in Dundee, near where Southampton Road is today.
Craigie House was one of the well-known country homes in the area during the late 1700s. People noted its focus on farming. For example, a report from 1793 mentioned that Mr. Guthrie of Craigie was one of the few who raised sheep for sale.
In 1831, the Guthrie family tried to sell the estate, which included Craigie House and 232 acres of land. However, it didn't sell then and stayed with the family.
By 1856, Craigie House was described as a "neat villa" with beautiful gardens and trees. It was located by the sea, about two miles east of Dundee. The view from Craigie House was said to be "extremely beautiful." It looked out over the River Tay, with boats and ships moving in the distance.
The Guthrie family eventually sold Craigie House in 1911. The stables of the house were turned into a separate home.
After being a private nursing home for many years, Craigie House was sold to Dundee Corporation in 1949 to become a retirement home. It was later demolished in 1983 because it no longer met modern care standards. A new home for the elderly now stands on the same spot.
Today, the lands that once belonged to the Barony of Craigie are a busy, mostly residential area of Dundee.
History of the Barony
Early History of Craigie Lands
Before it became a barony, the lands of Craigie were owned by several important families near Dundee. These families often rented out the land to farmers. It wasn't until the mid-1600s that Craigie became its own distinct barony.
Around the year 1200, some parts of Craigie were given to the Lindores Abbey, a religious house. These lands stayed with the abbey for many years. Kings like David II of Scotland and Robert the Bruce also granted parts of Craigie to different people.
Over the centuries, the ownership of Craigie lands changed often. This is partly why its history can be confusing. The lands were divided and sold many times.
Becoming a Barony
The Barony of Craigie was officially created on October 28, 1662. Patrick Kyd of Craigie was recognized as the owner of a significant part of the lands. Later, James Kyd of Woodhill brought together more parts of Craigie. These combined lands were then officially made into the Barony of Craigie.
The Kyd family owned the Barony of Craigie until the early 1700s. Then, the lands began to pass to the Guthrie family. In 1704, there's a record of James Guthrie of Craigie being involved in a land matter, suggesting the change in ownership.
The title and lands of the Barony of Craigie were formally separated by a law in Scotland in 2000. In 2011, the title of the Barony of Craigie was passed to the Thomas family.
Barons of Craigie
Here is a list of the people who have held the title of Baron of Craigie:
- Patrick Kyd, 1st Baron of Craigie (1666–1677)
- James Kyd, 2nd Baron of Craigie (1677–1728)
- James Guthrie, 1st Baron of Craigie (1728–1788)
- James Guthrie, 2nd Baron of Craigie (1788–1830)
- James Guthrie, 3rd Baron of Craigie (1830–1866)
- George Makgill, 9th Viscount of Oxfuird, 1st Baron of Craigie (1866–1867)
- James Alexander Guthrie, 4th Baron of Craigie (1867–1873)
- David Charles Guthrie, 5th Baron of Craigie (1873–1918)
- James Alexander Guthrie, 6th Baron of Craigie (1918–1932)
- David Charles Guthrie, 7th Baron of Craigie (1932–2003)
- Rabbi Robert Owen Thomas, III, 1st Baron of Craigie (b. 1966)
The person who is expected to inherit the title next is Oliver Leigh Thomas of Craigie. He is the son of the current Baron.
The Kyd family first started buying land in the Craigie area in 1617. They gradually gathered enough land to form the barony. Later, the Guthrie family took over the barony, and then it passed to the Thomas family.
Family History
Kyd Family
The Kyd family, also spelled Kid or Kidd, were important in Craigie even before 1534. They were described as "esquire of Craigie," meaning they were gentlemen landowners.
Patrick Kyd of Craigie married Margaret, whose father was Sir Alexander Wedderburn. The Kyd family also had links to Woodhill, another important estate.
In 1617, King James VI of Scotland confirmed that Patrick Kyd, a merchant from Dundee, bought a part of Craigie. Patrick had been a recognized citizen of Dundee since 1591. His son, James Kyd, also bought parts of Craigie.
By 1666, a special document called a Charter officially made Patrick Kyd of Craigie the owner of the Barony of Craigie. This document named Craigie House as the main residence.
In 1677, James Kyd of Woodhill inherited more lands that were added to the Barony of Craigie. Records from 1681 show the "barony of Craigs" (Craigie) paying money to the King of Scotland.
The Kyd family held the Barony of Craigie until 1728. That year, James Kid of Craigie sold the barony to James Guthrie. James Kid died in 1735.
Guthrie and Makgill Families
The Guthrie family is a very old family from the Angus area of Scotland. They are descended from Sir David Guthrie, who lived in the 1400s. He was a very important person, serving as a sheriff and treasurer for the king.
James Guthrie (1669–1711) was a Scottish merchant. His second son, also named James, was born in 1698. This James Guthrie became the 1st Baron of Craigie in 1729. In 1766, he bought more land for Craigie. By 1770, Guthrie of Craigie was one of the biggest landowners in Dundee.
James Guthrie of Craigie, the 2nd Baron, was born in 1740. He continued to expand the estate. His eldest son, also named James, was a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He even served under the famous Captain Bligh on his voyage. Sadly, he died young in 1795.
The second son, Alexander Murray Guthrie, inherited the lands. His only son, James Guthrie, became the 3rd Baron of Craigie in 1830. This James Guthrie died in 1866 without marrying. He left the lands and title of Craigie to his cousin, George Makgill.
George Makgill of Kemback inherited several titles, including Viscount of Oxfuird. In 1867, he sold the lands and title of Craigie to his relative, James Alexander Guthrie.
James Alexander Guthrie of Craigie (born 1823) was a very important person. He was a Justice of the Peace and a director of the Bank of England. He bought the barony in 1867. When he died in 1873, his eldest son, David Charles Guthrie, took over.
David Charles Guthrie, the 5th Baron of Craigie (born 1861), became a Justice of the Peace and a Member of Parliament. His son, James Alexander Guthrie, became the 6th Baron.
James Alexander Guthrie, the 6th Baron of Craigie, was educated at famous schools like Eton. He was a captain in the army and a Fellow of the Zoological Society.
David Charles Guthrie, the 7th Baron of Craigie (born 1930), inherited the title in 1932. He passed away in 2003.
The Guthrie family tartan (a special Scottish pattern) is the Murray of Atholl tartan. The Barony of Craigie stayed with the Guthrie family until 2011. That's when it was passed to the Thomas family.
Thomas Family
The Thomas family is a Jewish family with roots in Wales, Scotland, and England. Their Welsh history goes back to 1768.
The Much Honoured Rabbi Robert Owen Thomas, III, became the 1st Baron of Craigie in February 2011. He is considered the first of his family line to hold the barony.
Rabbi Thomas is married to Lauren Rose Lancaster. They have three children: Oliver Leigh Thomas, Ashlinn Elaine Thomas, and Robert Owen Thomas, IV.
Oliver Leigh Thomas is the heir apparent, meaning he is expected to inherit the barony next.
The Thomas family has its own tartan, called Thomas of Craigie.
See also
- List of Scottish feudal baronies
- List of places in Scotland
- List of British Jewish nobility and gentry
