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I would like to welcome you to my page on the Dundas family of Fingask.
The Dundas family of Fingask were the ancestors of the Dundas' of Clobemon Hall and the Earls of Zetland

 

 

carron hall

Carron Hall in Stirlingshire, purchased by Thomas Dundas of Fingask
This and many other photographs available at Falkirk Museums, Callendar House..


The Dundas family of Fingask began in 1364, when John of Dundas was granted a charter of the lands of Fingask, in Perthshire by King David 11. This added Fingask to the lands of Dundas which were already held.

John Dundas was succeeded by his son James of Dundas who married Christian Stewart. It has been a disputed point in the Dundas family history whether Christian Stewart was in fact James's second wife. The question was argued in law some 300 years later when the Dundas' of Fingask were attempting to prove their claim to the headship of the clan.
Dundas of Dundas argued that James Dundas had had a first wife, (whose name has never been discovered) and by whom he had provided three sons, namely, James, Archibald and Duncan and that by his second wife, Christian, he had two further sons, i.e.; Alexander and Thomas.

The Dundas' of Fingask argued that no proof of a previous marriage existed and that James Dundas was in fact the eldest son of Christian Stewart and James. Either way, it is known that when James died, Archibald Dundas carried on the main line of Dundas of Dundas. The Dundas' of Dundas claim that James died childless.

The Dundas' of Fingask claim that James did in fact have a son, by the name of Alexander who although he inherited the lands of Fingask, he should also have been head of Dundas of Dundas, but was too young and his rightful inheritance was seized by his uncle. Whether on James' death, Archibald seized the inheritance which rightly belonged to James Dundas' youngest son or whether James died childless, so Archibald succeeded by right as next heir, has never been proven beyond doubt. We do know however, that from this time dates the separation of the lands of Dundas and Fingask and that they were never again held by the same hand.

The Dundas' of Fingask were well known for their attachment to the Stuarts. In 1633, Charles 1, conferred the honour of knighthood on John Dundas of Fingask , who devoted himself to the Royal cause. His loyalty brought ruin on his estate in Perthshire, although his grandson, Thomas Dundas acquired a considerable estate in the county of Stirling and obtained a charter under the great seal in 1739 for erecting his lands into a barony under the designation of Fingask.

The Dundas' of Fingask were the ancestors of the present Marquess' of Zetland and Baron Amesbury, (title now extinct).

It is also believed that the Dundas' of Clobemon Hall descend from the Fingask branch of the family.


fingask coat of arms

Fingask coat of arms


dundas house

Dundas House in Edinburgh, built for Sir Laurence Dundas
In later years the building  became the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland.