Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 38 on 11/04/2008.

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Bute's gothic palace

Of all of the early dynasties who dominated Scotland from the 12th century onwards, the Stewarts were the most successful and most resilient.

Walter Fitz Alan was among the Norman noblemen who accompanied David I on his return from England to Scotland in 1124, whereupon he was appointed High Steward.

Through the marriage of his descendant to Princess Marjory, daughter of Robert the Bruce, the Stewards or Stewarts, as they became known, acquired the throne of Scotland on the death of Bruce’s only son.

And in 1371, Robert II, Bruce’s grandson, bestowed the lands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae on his younger son, John, and created him Hereditary Sheriff of Bute. Thus began the bloodline of the Stuarts of Bute.

Throughout the following century, John’s descendants went about their duties and, in 1498, Ninian Stewart was made Hereditary Keeper of the Royal Castle of Rothesay, an honour still held by the family. With the passing of years, the spelling of his descendants’ surname was altered to Stuart, in keeping with that adopted by Mary Queen of Scots when she returned to Scotland from France in 1561.

Sir James Stuart of Bute was a firm Royalist supporter and was appointed Royal Lieutenant for the west of Scotland, but when Oliver Cromwell’s invasion prevailed, he fled to Ireland. As a result, his estates were broken up and he was obliged to pay a substantial fine to redeem them. His grandson, Sir James Stuart of Bute, however, supported the succession of William and Mary and, in .....

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By Charles Douglas

Section : Scotland Houses

Page number : 14