Arms Intro
THE BARONY OF
Auchterhouse

Angus | 1548

Auchterhouse may have derived its name from Achter, the high ground on which the church stands; or from Achadh Torr, the house with the tower in the field. According to modern authorities, the name signifies the ‘kirk on the height’. In older documents the name appears as Auchtirhous, Ochtirhous, Ouchterhous, Owchtirous, Ochirhous, Uchterhous, Uchtirliouse, Uchtirhous, Utherhous.

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History 1
The feudal barony, which is not quite the same as the current Parish of Auchterhouse,
was defined in the Charter of the Great Seal of Scotland

as comprising the ‘lands of Halton, Dominical lands of Kirkton of Auchterhouse, town and lands of Liochs Easter and Wester, Eastfield, Cotton, Burnsyd, Burnhead, Newton, Bonnington, Knowhead, with Manor there of Auchterhouse, teinds of the Rectory and vicarage of the church and parish of Auchterhouse’.

History 2
The first proprietor of the Barony of Auchterhouse was John Mayne (or Mein).
He acquired it during the reign of Robert II.

Auchterhouse was an important country seat, and part of the barony came to the Ogilvy Earl of Airlie before 1400. These lands passed successively through the families of the Ogilvys of Airlie, Earls of Buchan, and Earls of Strathmore, finally returning to the Ogilvy’s in 1715. Other parts of the barony, particularly the lands of Templeton, belonged to the Knights Templar. After suppression of the order, those lands, along with the other parts of the barony, were given to Sir William Ramsay.

History 3
Auchterhouse Castle was a 13th century castle located northwest of Dundee, Angus, Scotland.
The original castle was enclosed with walls, towers, and contained a keep.

The castle may have been in ownership of the Ramsay family, who were hereditary Sheriffs of Angus. Sir William Wallace is alleged to have stayed at the castle, and one its towers was named in his honor. King Edward I of England spent the night of 20 July 1303 at the castle. The castle came into the possession of James Erskine, 7th Earl of Buchan who may have built the 17th century tower house.

History 4
The Auchterhouse ‘castle’ has largely vanished from existence,
the remains being limited to the ruined ground floor of a single square tower,

referred to as the ‘Wallace Tower’, located on the private grounds of the later mansion bearing the same name. The castle annotated on the Pont map for the area depicts a castle consisting of a tower house of four stories with a wing and perhaps a courtyard. Again, it is unclear if that is a representation of a more traditional castle or of an early representation of the current manor house. It is clear the old tower had been destroyed or demolished. It is possible the castle may have been sacked or damaged because of conflicts.

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Arms Intro
History 1
History 2
History 3
History 4
Arms Intro
Forum for the Scottish Baronage monogram
THE BARONY OF
Auchterhouse

Angus | 1548

Auchterhouse may have derived its name from Achter, the high ground on which the church stands; or from Achadh Torr, the house with the tower in the field. According to modern authorities, the name signifies the ‘kirk on the height’. In older documents the name appears as Auchtirhous, Ochtirhous, Ouchterhous, Owchtirous, Ochirhous, Uchterhous, Uchtirliouse, Uchtirhous, Utherhous.

Click icons to learn more
History 1
The feudal barony, which is not quite the same as the current Parish of Auchterhouse,
was defined in the Charter of the Great Seal of Scotland

as comprising the ‘lands of Halton, Dominical lands of Kirkton of Auchterhouse, town and lands of Liochs Easter and Wester, Eastfield, Cotton, Burnsyd, Burnhead, Newton, Bonnington, Knowhead, with Manor there of Auchterhouse, teinds of the Rectory and vicarage of the church and parish of Auchterhouse’.

History 2
The first proprietor of the Barony of Auchterhouse was John Mayne (or Mein).
He acquired it during the reign of Robert II.

Auchterhouse was an important country seat, and part of the barony came to the Ogilvy Earl of Airlie before 1400. These lands passed successively through the families of the Ogilvys of Airlie, Earls of Buchan, and Earls of Strathmore, finally returning to the Ogilvy’s in 1715. Other parts of the barony, particularly the lands of Templeton, belonged to the Knights Templar. After suppression of the order, those lands, along with the other parts of the barony, were given to Sir William Ramsay.

History 3
Auchterhouse Castle was a 13th century castle located northwest of Dundee, Angus, Scotland.
The original castle was enclosed with walls, towers, and contained a keep.

The castle may have been in ownership of the Ramsay family, who were hereditary Sheriffs of Angus. Sir William Wallace is alleged to have stayed at the castle, and one its towers was named in his honor. King Edward I of England spent the night of 20 July 1303 at the castle. The castle came into the possession of James Erskine, 7th Earl of Buchan who may have built the 17th century tower house.

History 4
The Auchterhouse ‘castle’ has largely vanished from existence,
the remains being limited to the ruined ground floor of a single square tower,

referred to as the ‘Wallace Tower’, located on the private grounds of the later mansion bearing the same name. The castle annotated on the Pont map for the area depicts a castle consisting of a tower house of four stories with a wing and perhaps a courtyard. Again, it is unclear if that is a representation of a more traditional castle or of an early representation of the current manor house. It is clear the old tower had been destroyed or demolished. It is possible the castle may have been sacked or damaged because of conflicts.

Tour Another Barony
Arms Intro
History 1
History 2
History 3
History 4
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