Clan Erskine (Erskine Tartan)

1. Clan Erskine History

Erskine takes its name from the lands of Erskine south of the River Clyde in Renfrewshire, first adopted by Henry of Erskine in the early 13th century during the reign of Alexander II. In Scottish Gaelic the name is rendered "air an sgian," upon the knife. The Erskines became staunch supporters of Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence, related by marriage after John of Erskine's daughter married Thomas Bruce, the king's brother.

2. Clan Erskine Rise and Alloa Tower

Sir Robert de Erskine became constable and keeper of Stirling Castle and Lord Great Chamberlain of Scotland in 1350. His descendant Robert became Chief of the ancient Tribe of the Land of Mar and was made Lord Erskine in 1467. Alexander, 3rd Lord Erskine, built Alloa Tower in 1497, strategically positioned to guard the ferry crossing on the River Forth, and the family later took charge of royal upbringing, with John Erskine, 4th Lord Erskine, responsible for conveying the young Mary, Queen of Scots to France in 1547.

3. Clan Erskine and the Earldom of Mar

The Erskine chiefship became entwined with the ancient Celtic Earldom of Mar, one of the oldest hereditary titles in the British Isles. An 1885 succession dispute under the Restitution of Mar Act resulted in two separate Mar earldoms existing side by side, one held by the Erskine Earls of Mar and Kellie, the other by the Countess of Mar as chief of Clan Mar.

4. Clan Erskine Notable Figures

The 7th Lord Erskine took part in the 1582 Raid of Ruthven, briefly falling from royal favor before being restored and made Lord High Treasurer of Scotland in 1616. Ebenezer Erskine (1680-1745) later founded the Secession Church, while Charles Erskine (1739-1811) became a cardinal of the Church of Rome in 1803. Today's chief, James Thorne Erskine, holds the titles 14th Earl of Mar and 16th Earl of Kellie, with Alloa Tower as the historic seat.

Crest image by Tomasz Steifer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.