One of the most powerful of the Border families, the name was derived from the Scots who invaded Dalriada (Argyll) from Ireland and the surname is found in all parts of Scotland. However in the Borders, an area that was never fully Gaelic speaking, it may have meant a Scottish Gaelic speaker.
The first record of the name Scott is when Uchtred filius Scot witnessed the foundation charter of Selkirk in 1120. Henricus le Scotte witnessed a charter by David Earl of Strathearn around 1195.
Sir Michael Scott, 2nd Laird of Buccleuch was a staunch supporter of King Robert the Bruce and distinguished himself at the Battle of Halidon Hill, fighting against the English in 1333 during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
The Lanarkshire estate was exchanged for Branxholm in Selkirkshire as the family became more and more established in the Borders. In the 15th century, as was common in the Borders, the Scotts quarrel led frequently with their neighbours, particularly the Clan Kerr. The clans would gather for battle at a place called Bellendean. The feud caused the deaths of both chiefs and was only resolved by marriage during the chieftainship of the 10th Laird. The 13th Baron was created Lord Scott of Buccleuch by James VI and in 1619 Lord Scott was created an Earl. The male line failed and Anne, Countess of Buccleuch married the illegitimate son of King Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth. Charles created the couple Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch but the Duke supported the Protestant cause and at one stage led an unsuccessful rebellion against his uncle King James II.
During the 16th century the Clan Kerr and the Clan Scott continued to raid each other’s lands. The Chief Kerr of Cessford, who had worked as warden for peace and co-operation with England, was killed by a follower of Clan Scott of Buccleuch in the attempt to rescue King James V of Scotland from the Clan Douglas. In 1552 the Chief of Clan Scott of Buccleuch was killed by the Clan Kerr of Cessford in Edinburgh. Fighting between the clans continued until a peace agreement was signed in 1602.
The third Duke of Buccleuch married the heiress of the Duke of Queensberry (Clan Douglas) and became one of the richest men in Britain.
During the Civil War, Sir James Scott led his forces in support of the Covenanters at the Battle of Tippermuir in 1644 but the Covenanters were defeated by the Royalist forces under James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose.
During the Jacobite Uprisings the Clan Scott supported the British Hanoverian Government. Captain Scott was taken prisoner by the Jacobites during their first hostile action which later became known as the Highbridge Skirmish in August 1745. Later Captain Scott was released and is remembered for the successful defense during the Siege of Fort William in March 1746 where he held command and the Jacobites were defeated.
In the 19th century, Sir Walter Scott (from a junior branch, the Scotts of Harden) changed Scotland’s image forever. The Duke of Buccleuch today is the largest private landowner in the United Kingdom and the art collections at the family’s great houses of Drumlanrig, Bowhill and Boughton are internationally famous.
• Clan Chief: His Grace Richard Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, The 10th Duke of Buccleuch, Duke of Queensberry, Marquess of Dumfriesshire, Earl of Buccleuch, Earl of Doncaster, Earl of Dalkeith, Earl of Drumlanrig and Sanquhar, Viscount of Nith, Torthorwald and Ross, Lord Scott of Buccleuch, Lord Scott of Whitchester and Eskdaill, Baron Scott of Tindale, Lord Douglas of Kilmount, Middlebie and Dornock.
• Clan crest: A stag trippant, encircled in a leather strap inscribed with the chief’s motto “Amo” meaning “I Love”.
• Clan Motto: Amo (“I love”).
• Clan war cry: ‘a Bellendaine! (“To Bellendaine!”)
• Clan badge: Blaeberry.
The septs of Clan Scott include: Buccleuch, Geddes, Laidlaw, Langlangs, McCorquodale.
• Branxholme Castle has been owned by the Clan Scott since 1420.
• Dalkeith Palace in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, is the former seat of the Duke of Buccleuch.
Years Attended: 2011
More Images:[nggtags gallery=scott]