Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat facts for kids
Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat (born around 1545, died 1577) was an important Scottish landowner. He was known as "Red Hugh" because of his hair colour.
Hugh was the son of Alexander Fraser, 4th Lord Lovat and Janet Campbell. His father passed away in 1557. After this, Hugh's uncle, William Fraser, helped manage his family's lands. Hugh also received his education from monks at Beauly Priory.
Meeting Important People
In May 1562, when Hugh was still young, he and his uncle travelled to Inverness. They met Mary, Queen of Scots there, bringing 400 of their followers. Hugh's grandmother, Janet Ross, even told Queen Mary that she had met Mary's mother, Mary of Guise, in the same place years before.
Hugh went to Edinburgh in 1569. He became friends with Regent Moray, who was a very powerful leader in Scotland at the time. A "Regent" is someone who rules a country when the king or queen is too young or unable to rule. Hugh welcomed Regent Moray when he visited Inverness in May 1569. Hugh also attended a special meeting called the Convention of the Estates in Perth in July 1569.
Hugh's Hobbies and Interests
According to a family historian from the 1600s, James Fraser, Hugh loved sports. He enjoyed archery, football, horse racing, and tilting. Tilting was like a jousting sport where knights rode horses and tried to hit targets with lances. Hugh would often meet other landowners, like John Grant, at the Chapel yard in Inverness to play these games.
His Public Role
In 1574, Regent Morton made Hugh the captain of Inverness Castle. This was an important job, as it meant he was in charge of the castle's defence and security.
In February 1576, there was a small disagreement. Donald McAngus of Glengarry complained that Hugh had stopped him and his people from moving timber by boat on Loch Ness. The Scottish government, known as the Privy Council, told Hugh not to interfere with the timber transport.
Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat, passed away at Towie Barclay on January 1, 1577.
His Family
Hugh married Elizabeth Stewart. She was the daughter of John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl. Hugh and Elizabeth had several children:
- Alexander Fraser, who married the daughter of the Laird of Moniak.
- Simon Fraser, 6th Lord Lovat, who later became the 6th Lord Lovat. He married Jean Stewart, who was a lady-in-waiting to Anne of Denmark, the Queen of Scotland.
- Anna Fraser, who married Hector Munro of Foulis.
- Mary or Margaret Fraser, who married James Cumming of Altyre.
