A Short History of Kinnaird
This old photograph of Kinnaird Castle shows the portico where horse drawn coaches would enter to shelter those entering the castle, especially guests. The stone tablet on the top/front of the portico is inscribed with the motto "True Love Casteth Out Fear".
As many US servicemen and women will know, the castle sits in large, beautiful grounds only a mile from Brechin. The estate is enclosed by a high stone wall on three sides and by the River Southesk on the fourth. The highest pinnacle is 115 feet from the ground.
Many deer roam about inside the park and there is a wealth of other wild life, red and grey squirrels, pheasants and other species of wild birds. The River Southesk flowing from high above Glen Doll and into the North Sea at Montrose is a fine salmon and trout river. There are ornate gatehouses, North, South, East and West, with roads leading to and from the castle.
The Lords of Southesk have had many distinguished visitors during the past 600 years, including royalty from Britain and many other nations. The house is first mentioned in a charter to Duthac de Carnegie in 1409. The building was burned to the ground by the Earl of Crawford in revenge for Carnegie having taken sides against him with the Earl of Huntly at the Battle of Brechin. The castle was rebuilt in 1555 and enlarged to its present size in 1854.
Duthac de Carnegie was succeeded by his son Walter, who was succeeded by his son John in 1508. John Carnegie of Kinnaird stood for King James IV at the Battle of Flodden and was slain there, as were many of Scotland's nobility, "The Flower of Scotland", along with their supporters and were completely defeated by the English. John Carnegie was succeeded by his son Robert, who died in 1565. His son John was a favourite of Queen Mary. John was succeeded by his brother David in 1596 and he by his son David in 1598.
In 1617 King James VI visited Kinnaird and enjoyed several days hunting in "Munrimmon" (now Montreathmont) Forest. Lord Carnegie was created a peer by the title of Earl of Southesk by King Charles I in 1633 and was succeeded by his son James in 1658.
Lord Carnegie was a Commander in the Marquis of Montrose's army in 1639. Ten years later he was a prisoner in England. He died in 1669 and was succeeded by his son Robert, third Earl. His son Charles attained the title Fourth Earl of Southesk in 1688.
Charles' son James the Fifth Earl in 1699 took up arms along with the Earl of Mar at Aboyne near Braemar, in support of the restoration of the Jacobite James VIII (father of Bonnie Prince Charlie) proclaiming him King at Montrose. He was charged with high treason and the Estate of Southesk was forfeited along with the Lordship of Brechin. The Estate was purchased by his cousin Sir James Carnegie of Pittarrow.
Over 150 years later Sir James Carnegie renewed the claim to the titles Earl of Southesk and Lord Carnegie, and had the honour of being placed on the Roll of Peers of Scotland, this in 1855. Sir James and his Countess were students of archaeology and poets of renown, some of their work is available locally if anyone is interested.
I hope this brief history is of interest to those of you who lived within the environs of this great Estate and brings back happy memories.
