Catherine Maxwell Stuart, 21st Lady of Traquair facts for kids

Catherine Margaret Mary Maxwell Stuart (born 16 November 1964) is a Scottish landowner, politician, and writer. She is known as the 21st Lady of Traquair. She was the first woman to become the Laird (owner) of Traquair House and, in 1990, she was the only female laird in Scotland.

Catherine manages the historic Traquair estate, which includes a bed and breakfast and an old brewery. She has also been involved in politics, running as a candidate for the Labour Party several times. In August 2024, she was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Tweeddale, a special representative of the King in her area.

Early Life and Family History

Catherine Maxwell Stuart was born in 1964. Her parents were Captain Peter D'Arcy Joseph Maxwell Stuart, the 20th Laird of Traquair, and Flora Mary Carr-Saunders Maxwell Stuart. She was raised in the Catholic Church.

Her family has a long and interesting history. She is part of the Clan Stewart and the Clan Maxwell. She is also a descendant of the House of Stuart, which means she is related to Scottish royalty. In fact, she is a descendant of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Catherine grew up at Traquair House, which is her family's large estate in the Scottish Borders. She went to Traquair Primary School and then Peebles High School.

Running the Traquair Estate

Traquair House, Catherine Maxwell Stuart's family estate in Scotland.

In 1999, Catherine Maxwell Stuart took over running the Traquair estate from her mother. Her mother had managed it after Catherine's father passed away in 1990. Before returning to Scotland, Catherine worked as a teacher in South America.

When she inherited the estate, she became the first female Laird of Traquair. She was also the only female Laird in Scotland at that time. As a Scottish Laird, she can use the special title "Lady of Traquair."

Traquair House is the oldest continuously lived-in stately home in Scotland. The castle was given to James Stuart, the first Laird of Traquair, in 1491. He was a cousin of James III of Scotland. Today, Catherine runs a bed and breakfast and a brewery at the castle. She also works as a tour guide, sharing the history of the estate with visitors. She hosts weddings, events, and summer festivals at Traquair House.

Public Service and Writing

Catherine Maxwell Stuart believes in fairness and helping others. She has run for public office as a candidate for the Labour Party several times. In 1999, she ran in a local election for the Scottish Borders Council. She also ran in the General Election in 2001. Her ideas included building a new railway line, fighting crime, and creating more jobs. She also ran in the 2003 Scottish Parliament election and the 2007 Scottish Parliament election.

In 2016, Traquair House received a Four Star Gold Quality Award from VisitScotland. That same year, Catherine was featured in a BBC documentary called Lady Lairds. This show looked at women who own and manage historic castles and country homes.

Catherine has also written two books about her family and Traquair House. These books are called All for Our Rightful King: Traquair's Jacobite Story, 1688–1842 and A Family Life Revealed: The Stuarts at Traquair 1491–1875. In April 2021, she was interviewed on the Duchess podcast.

Personal Life

Catherine Maxwell Stuart is a practicing Catholic. A portrait of her from 1992 is kept at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

In 1995, she married fashion designer John Grey. They had a Catholic ceremony at Traquair's chapel. Sadly, John passed away in 1998. In 1999, she married Mark Muller, who is a human rights lawyer. They met in the 1980s when they were studying at the London School of Economics. Catherine has three children: Isabella, Louis, and Charlotte.