Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Of Strathallan Clan Collection

Ogilvie (Ogilvy) Of Strathallan Clan Collection

I. Introduction

In the rolling green heart of Scotland’s past, the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) of Strathallan Clan stands as a steadfast sentinel, their roots entwined with the fertile lands of Perthshire and the enduring spirit of their Ogilvie kin. A branch of the storied Ogilvie lineage, they carved their niche in Strathallan, their tale a quiet symphony of loyalty, land, and legacy. Through centuries of strife and stewardship, they have borne their name as a banner, their history a testament to Scotland’s unbreakable soul.

II. Origins of the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) of Strathallan Clan

The Ogilvie name flows from the Brythonic "Ocel-fa," meaning "high plain," first tied to Angus with Gilbert de Ogilville’s 1172 charter under King David I. The Strathallan branch diverged as the clan’s influence spread westward, taking root in Perthshire’s Strathallan—a verdant valley cradled by the Ochil Hills. Likely emerging in the medieval period through marriage or land grants, this offshoot retained the Ogilvie blood while forging a distinct identity, their story shaped by the rivers and moors of their adopted home.

III. Historical Evolution of the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) of Strathallan Clan

A. Medieval Roots

The Ogilvies of Strathallan rose amid Perthshire’s fertile embrace, their lineage a quiet echo of their Angus forebears. While their kin held Airlie and Cortachy, the Strathallan branch cultivated their lands as lairds and stewards, their presence a subtle counterpoint to the martial clamor of the east. Allied with regional powers, they guarded their valley, their roots sinking deep into Strathallan’s soil.

B. Loyalty and Resilience

The Ogilvies’ loyalty to the crown runs as a river through their history. In Angus, they fought with Bruce; in Strathallan, their allegiance likely mirrored this fidelity, though records are sparse. The 17th century tested their resolve as Stuart supporters—kin to James, 1st Earl of Airlie, whose castle fell in 1640. The Strathallan Ogilvies, though less heralded, stood firm, their quieter steadfastness a bedrock amid Scotland’s storms.

C. Strathallan’s Legacy

The Strathallan line gained prominence in the 17th century, linked to the Ogilvie baronetcy of Inverquharity, a title granted in 1627. Their lands in Perthshire became a haven, their influence tied to the stewardship of Strathallan Castle’s environs. While the Airlie earldom rose in Angus, the Strathallan branch endured as a testament to the clan’s adaptability, their legacy a whisper of green in Scotland’s noble chorus.

IV. Clan Ogilvie (Ogilvy) of Strathallan Crest and Motto

A. Crest Symbolism

The Ogilvie crest—a woman with a portcullis or a crowned lion rampant—graces all branches. For the Strathallan Clan, the portcullis-bearing lady resonates: a guardian of their valley, her quiet strength reflecting their role as keepers of the land. She stands as a symbol of their rooted honor.

B. Clan Motto

"A Fin"—"To the End"—echoes as the Ogilvie mantra, a pledge as steadfast as Strathallan’s hills. For this branch, it speaks of endurance through obscurity, a vow to tend their heritage with the same tenacity as their warrior kin.

V. Clan Ogilvie (Ogilvy) of Strathallan Tartan

As part of the Ogilvie lineage, the Strathallan branch shares the clan’s tartans—bold reds or muted Hunting variants. No unique Strathallan tartan exists, but they might favor the Hunting Ancient or Modern designs, their greens and browns blending with Perthshire’s landscape. This choice cloaks them in their broader kin’s pride, a fabric linking valley to plain.

VI. Prominent Figures of the Ogilvie (Ogilvy) of Strathallan Clan

A. Sir John Ogilvie of Inverquharity (fl. 1627)

Sir John, created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1627, ties to the Strathallan line through proximity and lineage. His stewardship of lands near Strathallan underscores the branch’s quiet rise, a laird whose legacy whispers through Perthshire’s fields.

B. James Ogilvie, 1st Earl of Airlie (1593–1666)

Though of the Airlie line, James’s Stuart loyalty reverberates to Strathallan kin. His stand in 1640, costing Airlie Castle, reflects a shared resolve that bolstered the clan’s name across regions.

VII. Conclusion

The Ogilvie (Ogilvy) of Strathallan Clan threads a gentle yet enduring strand through Scotland’s history, their roots in Perthshire a verdant echo of their Angus origins. Their crest and cry of "A Fin" herald a lineage of quiet guardians, kin to Airlie and Findlater, their legacy a testament to fidelity and stewardship. In Strathallan’s green embrace, they stand as sentinels of Scotland’s noble heart—a name that endures, soft as a breeze, strong as the earth.