John Ramsay of Ochtertyre facts for kids

John Ramsay of Ochtertyre (1736–1814) was a Scottish writer and a person who studied old things (an antiquarian). He was known for writing many letters during his life. Sadly, most of these letters are now lost. His home was in Stirlingshire, close to Blair Drummond. It was in a place called Kincardine-in-Menteith. His home, Ochtertyre, is sometimes called Oughtertyre or Auchtertyre. Don't mix it up with a bigger place also called Ochtertyre in Perthshire. That one belonged to the Murray family.

His Life

John Ramsay was born at Ochtertyre House on August 26, 1736. His mother was Anne Dundas. His father was James Ramsay, a lawyer. John's father passed away in 1748. John was only 12 years old then. He took over his family's estate, which was called a lairdship.

He went to Dalkeith Grammar School. After that, he studied old Greek and Roman history and literature (classics) at the University of Edinburgh. In the summers of 1752 and 1753, he spent time at Menstrie Castle. He stayed with George Abercromby. There, he met a teenager named Ralph Abercromby. Ralph later became a very famous military leader.

John Ramsay then trained to be a lawyer, like his father. He joined a group of lawyers called the Faculty of Advocates. But he never actually worked as a lawyer.

Instead, he went back to live at his family's home, Ochtertyre House. This house was on the south side of the River Teith. It was east of Blair Drummond House. Here, he lived a comfortable life. He managed his estate and observed the world around him. He spent his time reading and writing notes about Scotland in the 1700s. These notes filled 10 large books!

In 1785, he became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a group for important thinkers and scientists. Famous people like Robert Burns visited him in 1787. Walter Scott also visited him in 1793. Walter Scott later based a character, Jonathan Oldbuck, partly on John Ramsay in his book "The Antiquary". John Ramsay was also friends with Lord Kames, another important Scottish figure.

John Ramsay passed away on March 2, 1814. He is buried in the churchyard of Kincardine-in-Menteith. This is just west of his home, Ochtertyre House.

His Writings

John Ramsay wrote several books and collections of letters. Here are some of his works:

• Highland Vocal Airs (1784) - This book was about traditional Scottish songs.
• Scotland and Scotsmen in the Eighteenth Century - This was a very large collection, with 18 volumes. It contained his notes and thoughts about Scotland in the 1700s.
• Letters of John Ramsay of Ochtertyre, 1799-1812 - A collection of his letters from those years.
• An account of the game of Curling, with Songs for the Canonmills curling club - This book was about the sport of curling.
• Lord Byron and his Times - A book about the famous poet Lord Byron.