Ogilvie History

Ogilvie in Angus derives from the British or Pictish word Ocel Fa, meaning high plain. In about 937 died Dubhucan, Mormaer of Angus; Dubhucan appears in the records later bearing the new title of Earl of Angus. He was succeeded in 1144 by Gillebride, Earl of Angus, founder of the Ogilvie clan.

Their descendants became hereditary sheriffs of Angus during the 14th century. It was his son Sir Walter who became Lord High Treasurer, built the tower of Airlie, and married the heiress of Lintrathen. He died in 1440 and his grandson was created Lord Ogilvie of Airlie in 1491. When the 8th Lord was created Earl of Airlie in 1639, this was recognised as the line of the chiefs of Ogilvie. In 1638 James Ogilvie was created Earl of Findlater, and the earldom of Seafield was added as a reward for supporting the treaty of Union in 1707.

April 16th, 1746. Culloden ended the Stewart kings'struggle for the British crown and also marked the decline of clanship in Scotland. Having retreated from Derby, the Jacobites were pursued to Scotland. Reaching Culloden, the Prince was advised to make a last stand, rather than face months of guerrilla warfare in the Highlands. This decision proved to be disastrous. The Jacobites faced a well supplied and organized Government army on a boggy moor, totally unsuitable for the Highland style of fighting.

Despite a long history of loyalty to the Stuart cause, John Ogilvie, the Fourth Earl of Airlie, remained indifferent to the Rebellion. His son David, however, joined the Prince at Perth in September 1745. He brought with him a force of some 600 men and was later appointed to the Privy Council of the Young Pretender.

At Culloden the Ogilvies fought on the right flank of the second line. The failure of the front line charge resulted in the Prince fleeing the field. The Ogilvie lands were forfeited. Lord David went into exile in France but he received a pardon from George III, returned to Scotland where he retired to his estates. He died at Cortachy in 1803.