Strachan of Claypotts - Castle

Claypotts Castle

Claypotts Road
Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland, UK
DD5 3JY

In 1365 David II confirmed a charter of liberties granted by Alexander II to the Abbey of Lindores in 1246. The confirmation quotes Alexander's charter verbatim, then adds:

"et volumus quod terre de Cragy, de Miltona, de Claypottys et de Balmaw, cum pertinenciis, de quibus dictiun monasterium infeodatum fuit ante concessionemdicti predecessoris nostri supradictam, libere sint et quiete ab omnibus serviciis prout superius est expressum et quod dictas terras teneant et possideant iidem religiosi adeo Libere et quiete tarn virtute dicte concessionis domini predecessoris nostri quam nostre, sicut alias terras suas liberius et quiecius possident atque tenent . . ." (RMS, i, 188)

This, the earliest known reference to Claypotts, and shows that the lands were held by the Abbey of Lindores in 1246. The reference suggests that the tenure may have been disputed. The southern boundary was probably always the old Dundee-Arbroath road, since in Claypotts charters fishing rights in the Tay were confined to the pendicle of land in North Ferry.

 

For the greater part of the 16th century, the lands were held of the Abbey by the Strachans of Claypotts. The earliest reference to a member of the Strachan family, dated 25 February 1511, is a precept for remission to "John Strathachin in le Claypottis" and five others for the theft of seven horses and carts belonging to the Chancellory of Dunkeld, committed in the company of Gilbert Strathachin who claimed they belonged to him (RSS, i, no 2213).

Claypotts Castle was bult in 1569-1588 by John Strachan of Claypotts.

In 1601 the Strachan family sold the castle to Sir William Graham of Ballunie who later sold it to Sir William Graham of Claverhouse. The castle became the property of the crown in 1689 after the death of the then current owner Viscount Dundee John Graham of Claverhouse at the battle of Killiecrankie. In 1694 the castle was given to James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas. The castle later became the property of his son the Duke of Douglas and after his death in 1761 became the subject of a legal battle for the next eight years until the courts ruled Archibald Douglas to be heir. Ownership later passed to the 13th Earl of Home through marriage who later gave the castle to the state in 1926. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland. The exterior grounds are open to visitors, but access to the interior is limited.

There is a legend that the castle was once home to an industrious brownie who helped the servants with their work, but that he left in disgust because of a lazy kitchen maid.

Although no charters state to whom the Strachans of Claypotts are associated, it is almost certain the family was a cadet line of the Strachans of Carmyllie. This theory is based on the close proximity of Claypotts to Carmyllie, and on heraldic similarities of Carmyllie and Claypotts seals and arms.

Thomas Strachan of Carmyllie (1547)

John Strachan, Builder of Claypotts (c 1511)

 

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SOURCES

[1] Apted, M.R. The Lands and Tower of Claypotts. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1954-56, pp 100 [LINK]
[2] Historic Environment Scotland
[3] SCRAN

[4] Canmore