Clan Dundas

Dundass tartan, as published in 1842 in Vestiarium Scoticum.

Clan Dundas is the name given to one of Scotland's most historically important families. Once widely regarded as one of the most noble in the British Empire. The fortunes of the family are now almost lost, with its lands sold to the state, its castles reclaimed and its stately homes either bought by the state, or in the hands of private investors, as is the case with their former home in Edinburgh, which serves as the worldwide headquarters for The Royal Bank of Scotland.^{[citation needed]}

It was, and still is, a noted family tradition to name the first born son Robert, after Lord Robert Dundas VI, Earl of Dundas, advisor to the last queen of Scotland before the Act of Union. Lord Dundas is considered the most influential person in instrumenting the union, and as such, can be considered the key in creating the United Kingdom in its current form.^{[citation needed]}

History

The Dundas Family has established its position as one of the most important in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent, in the history of the United Kingdom. Although no longer widely known, and with its fortunes severely reduced, the Dundas clan has been instrumental in some of the most important events in Scottish history. It was in the 18th century that the family was key in allowing the Act of Union with England to commence, thereby creating the 'United' Kingdom in its current form (The Republic of Ireland excluded).^{[citation needed]}

Origins of the Clan

The word 'Dun deas' in Gaelic means 'south fort'. The Dundas family occupied lands on the southern shores of the Firth of Forth. The family is believed to descend from 'Helias', son of 'Hutred', a younger son of Gospatrick, Prince of Northumberland. The Clan Dunbar and Clan Moncreiffe also descend from the stock of Gospatrick.^{[citation needed]}

Records from the reign of William the Lion mention Serle de Dundas, Serle and Robertus de Dundas who both signed King Edward I of England's Ragman Roll.^{[citation needed]}

Wars of Scottish Independence

During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Clan Dundas fought alongside William Wallace against the English. Later they would also fight alongside King Robert I of Scotland against the English. However chief Sir George Dundas was killed at the Battle of Dupplin Moor in 1332. James Dundas built Dundas Castle in 1424.^{[citation needed]}

Civil War

Chief George Dundas the eighteenth laird led the Clan Dundas during the civil war on the side of the Covenantors. George Dundas was also on the committee that tried James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose.^{[citation needed]}

Jacobite Uprisings

William Dundas of Kincavel was imprisoned for his part in the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. Many of the Dundas estates were forfeited after the 1745-1746 Jacobite rebellion.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Dundas

External links

• http://www.scotclans.com/clans/Dundas/history.html
• http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/dtog/dundas2.html