Clan Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Scott |
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Crest: A stag trippant, encircled in a leather strap inscribed with the chief’s motto "Amo" meaning "I Love".
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| Motto | Amo (I love) | ||
| War cry | 'a Bellendaine! ("To Bellendaine!") Also, "The Scotts are out!" | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Scottish Borders | ||
| Plant badge | Blaeberry | ||
| Chief | |||
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| Richard Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott | |||
| The 10th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Duke of Queensberry |
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| Seat | Bowhill House | ||
| Historic seat | Dalkeith Palace | ||
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Clan Scott is a famous Scottish clan that has been officially recognized. For a long time, the clan was based in the beautiful Scottish Borders region of Scotland.
Contents
The Story of Clan Scott
Where Did the Scotts Come From?
The word Scotti originally came from Latin. It was used to describe the Celts who lived in Ireland. However, the first clear record of the name "Scott" in Scotland dates back to around 1120. This was when a person named Uchtred 'Filius Scott' was mentioned in an old document.
Later, in 1195, a person named Henricus le Scotte was a witness to an important document. In the early 1200s, a scholar named Master Isaac Scotus also witnessed documents for the Bishop of St Andrews.
One very famous early Scott was Michael Scott, often called "The Wizard." He lived from about 1175 to 1232. He was a real scholar and thinker. People thought he knew a lot about things like astrology (studying stars) and alchemy (turning metals into gold). Because of this, many believed he was a skilled magician!
Many years after Uchtred, a knight named Sir Richard Scott married a woman who owned land in Murthockstone. This is how the Scott family got their first estates. Sir Richard was also made the ranger of Ettrick Forest. This job gave him even more land, including Rankilburn. He built his home at a place called Buccleuch, and soon all his lands were known by that name.
Fighting for Scottish Independence
Sir Richard's son, Sir Michael Scott, was the second leader of Buccleuch. He was a very strong supporter of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Michael fought bravely at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. He was one of the few who managed to escape that terrible battle.
However, Michael was later killed at the Battle of Durham in 1346. He had two sons: Robert Scott, who became the third leader, and John Scott. John started an important branch of the family called the Scotts of Synton. The Lords Polwarth are descended from this branch. Robert Scott, the third leader, likely died around 1389 from injuries he got at the Battle of Otterburn.
The 1400s and 1500s: Growing Power and Feuds
Robert Scott, the fifth leader of Buccleuch, took over the family lands in 1402. His father, Walter, had been killed in battle. In 1420, Robert gained half of the lands of Branxholme, which made the family's estates even bigger. He helped the King fight against the powerful Clan Douglas. When the King won, Scott was rewarded with parts of the Douglas land. In 1463, Branxholme became a special "free barony." This meant the Scotts only had to pay a small yearly fee of one red rose to the King.
By the end of the 1400s, the Scotts were one of the strongest clans in the Borders. Their chief could gather a thousand fighters to support him! Like many Border Reiver clans, the Scotts often had disagreements with their neighbors, especially the Clan Kerr.
A big feud started on July 25, 1526. Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch attacked to rescue the young James V of Scotland. The King was being held by the Douglas Earl of Angus near Melrose. During the fight, Kerr of Cessford was killed, and Sir Walter Scott was also hurt.
Scott later fought against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. Four years later, he was put in charge of Liddesdale and the Middle Marches. But the Kerrs remembered their grudge. In 1552, they attacked Sir Walter Scott on Edinburgh High Street and killed him. The feud finally ended when Sir Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst married Janet Scott, who was the sister of the tenth leader of Buccleuch.
In 1565, another serious feud began between Clan Scott and their neighbors, the Clan Eliott. Scott of Buccleuch executed four Eliotts for stealing cattle, which was a minor crime. In response, three hundred Eliotts rode to get revenge for their family members. Both sides had many losses in the battle. Eventually, the two clans made peace.
The tenth leader of Buccleuch was a strong supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots. His son, another Walter Scott, became a very brave military leader. People called him "Bold Buccleuch." In 1596, he famously rescued his friend, William Armstrong, known as "Kinmont Willy." William was held in the Fortress of Carlisle, which everyone thought was impossible to break into!
The 1600s: Peace and Civil War
When James VI of Scotland also became King of England, he wanted to bring peace to the Borders. So, Walter Scott, 1st Lord Scott of Buccleuch went to fight in other countries. He fought for the Prince of Orange in the Netherlands. His son, Walter Scott, 2nd Lord Scott of Buccleuch, led a regiment for Holland against the Spanish. In 1619, he was given the title of Earl of Buccleuch.
During the Scottish Civil War, Francis Scott, 2nd Earl of Buccleuch supported the National Covenant. This group was against King Charles I of England's religious rules. Scott led his cavalry against the King's supporter, James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose, at the Battle of Philiphaugh.
Francis Scott, 2nd Earl of Buccleuch, died in 1651. His four-year-old daughter, Mary Scott, 3rd Countess of Buccleuch, took his place. The Church of Scotland allowed Mary to marry when she was only eleven years old. Sadly, she died at just fourteen. Her sister, Ann Scott, then became the leader. She was one of the richest heiresses in the kingdom.
King Charles II of England arranged for Anne Scott to marry his son, James, Duke of Monmouth. When they married, James took the Scott family name. On their wedding day, they were both given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. Later, Monmouth rebelled against the King. He was executed in 1685, and his titles were taken away. However, Anne Scott's titles were not affected because she had been specifically made Duchess of Buccleuch. Her grandson, Francis Scott, 2nd Duke of Buccleuch, later took her place.
The 1700s: Jacobite Risings
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Some Scotts fought for the government during the Jacobite rising of 1745. This was a time when supporters of the old royal family tried to put them back on the throne. Captain John Scott led two companies of Royal Scots. He was defeated and captured at the Highbridge Skirmish in August 1745. During the fight, Captain Scott lost several men and was wounded himself. But a Jacobite leader, MacDonald of Keppoch, made sure his wound was treated.
Captain Caroline Frederick Scott of Guise's Regiment successfully defended Fort William in March 1746. He became known for being very tough during the Rebellion.
The Duke of Buccleuch Collection
Today, the Duke of Buccleuch is one of the biggest private landowners in the United Kingdom. The family owns an amazing art collection, known as the Duke of Buccleuch collection. You can see this collection at the family's grand homes: Drumlanrig, Bowhill, and Boughton.
The Clan Chief Today
The current leader of Clan Scott is Richard Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott. He holds many important titles, including The 10th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Duke of Queensberry.
Castles and Important Scott Properties
The Clan Scott has owned many impressive castles and estates over the centuries. Here are some of the most well-known:
- Abbotsford House is located near Melrose, by the River Tweed. This was the home of the famous writer and poet, Sir Walter Scott.
- Aikwood Tower was built in 1535. It was restored in the 1990s by the politician Lord Steel and is now a home.
- Boughton House is a large country house in Northamptonshire, England. It belongs to the Duke of Buccleuch.
- Bowhill House was bought in 1747 by Francis Scott, 2nd Duke of Buccleuch, for his son. It is still the main home of the current Duke of Buccleuch in the Borders.
- Branxholme Castle has been owned by the Clan Scott since 1420.
- Dalkeith Palace in Dalkeith, Scotland, used to be the main home of the Duke of Buccleuch.
- Drumlanrig Castle is on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It is also owned by the Duke of Buccleuch.
- Dryhope Tower belonged to the Scotts of Dryhope. It is now part of the Philiphaugh Estate.
- Goldielands Tower, near Hawick, was acquired by Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch in 1446. The tower itself dates from the time of Walter Scot of Goldielands, who helped rescue Kinmont Willie from Carlisle Castle in 1596.
- Harden House became famous because of Walter Scott of Harden. It is still the home of Lord and Lady Polwarth, who are part of the Scotts of Harden family. The first owner of Harden, William Scott, got the estate in 1501.
- Kirkhope Tower came into the possession of Anne Scott, 1st Duchess of Buccleuch, in the early 1700s.
- Newark Castle is a ruined tower house on the Bowhill Estate. It dates back to around 1423.
- Murdostoun Castle was built by the Scott family in the 1400s. In 1296, Richard le Scott of the Buccleuch family became the owner of Murdostoun through marriage. In 1446, Sir Walter Scott traded Murdostoun for the rest of the lands of Branxholme.
- Scotstarvit Tower was bought in 1611 and rebuilt in the 1620s by Sir John Scott of Scotstarvet.
- Smailholm Tower was a stronghold of the Pringle family from the 1400s. It was later acquired by the Scotts of Harden.
See also
