Frasers of Philorth

The Frasers of Philorth are a Scottish Lowlands family whose traditional origins are traced to the Anjou region of France. The family became established in north-eastern Scotland through landholding, marriage, aristocratic inheritance, and the development of the Buchan settlement that became Fraserburgh. Their historic seat is Cairnbulg Castle near Fraserburgh, while Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire is also closely associated with the wider Fraser family and its heritage. The family’s importance is chiefly genealogical, territorial, heraldic, and political rather than commercial. A Fraser ancestor acquired the lands of Philorth in Buchan through marriage into the Ross family, together with Cairnbulg Castle. The family later expanded its influence around Faithlie, a fishing settlement near Kinnaird Head. In the sixteenth century, the Frasers developed the settlement, established religious and civic infrastructure, and secured legal privileges that helped it grow into Fraserburgh. A royal charter issued under James VI supported the town’s development as a free port and burgh, positioning it as a potential rival to Aberdeen. The family’s ambitions also included the construction of major buildings. Fraserburgh Castle, also known as the Tower of Kinnaird’s Head, was begun under Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th Lord of Philorth, and Pittulie Castle was built around the end of the sixteenth century. The cost of these projects placed severe financial pressure on the family, and Philorth Castle was eventually sold. It remained outside the family for more than three centuries before being reacquired by Alexander Fraser, 19th Lord Saltoun, in 1934. The family’s connection with the Saltoun peerage developed through marriage. A later Alexander Fraser, identified in the family’s traditional history as the 9th Lord of Philorth, married the heiress of the Lord Saltoun, after which the Saltoun title became associated with the chiefs of Clan Fraser. The chiefship was disputed at points between the Philorth branch and the Frasers of Muchalls, another branch with roots in Tweeddale. In modern usage, the head of the Philorth family is also the holder of the Saltoun title and the chief of the name and arms of Clan Fraser. The family participated in the political and military conflicts of seventeenth-century Scotland. Its members supported the royal cause under Charles I and fought against Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the Anglo-Scottish conflict. Some members subsequently left Scotland for the American colonies, where branches used the name Frizzell and settled in places including Massachusetts, Virginia, and Maryland. Those who remained in Scotland continued the family’s aristocratic and territorial succession. Members of the family fought at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, and the Saltoun title was ratified by Parliament after the Restoration of Charles II. The hereditary line also became entangled in the Jacobite rising known as the Fifteen; the 4th Lord Fraser died in 1716 while in flight, after which that Fraser peerage expired. Today, Frasers of Philorth is best understood as a historic Scottish family and clan lineage rather than a consumer-facing brand. Its identity is expressed through the Saltoun title, the chiefship of Clan Fraser, historic properties, genealogy, and heraldry. The family arms are described as three silver cinquefoils, specifically stylized strawberry flowers, on a blue field. The undifferenced arms are reserved for the Lord or Lady Saltoun.

The Frasers of Philorth are a branch of the Scottish Fraser family associated with the lands of Philorth in Buchan, Aberdeenshire. Family tradition traces the broader lineage to Anjou in France before its establishment in Scotland. An early Alexander Fraser married a daughter of the Earl of Ross and thereby acquired Philorth and Cairnbulg Castle. Cairnbulg subsequently served as the seat of the Fraser chiefs. The family’s regional influence grew through its involvement with Faithlie, a fishing community situated near Kinnaird Head. In 1504, the Frasers purchased the settlement. In 1546, they created it as a burgh of barony, and in 1569 Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th Lord of Philorth, began a substantial program of urban and architectural development. He founded a church and began the construction of the Tower of Kinnaird’s Head, later known as Fraserburgh Castle. A charter granted by James VI in 1592 confirmed and extended the family’s privileges. The settlement was improved as a harbour and developed into the free port and burgh of Fraserburgh, which was intended to compete with Aberdeen. The family’s building program included Pittulie Castle, constructed around 1596. The costs associated with Fraserburgh Castle and the town’s development placed the laird under considerable financial strain. Philorth Castle was consequently sold and remained outside the family for more than 300 years. Alexander Fraser, 19th Lord Saltoun, bought it back in 1934, restoring the property to the family’s historic holdings. The Philorth line became connected with the Saltoun peerage through marriage. Alexander Fraser, identified in the family’s traditional succession as the 9th Lord of Philorth, married the heiress of the Lord Saltoun. From that point, the Saltoun title was associated with the chiefs of Clan Fraser. The right to the chiefship was disputed at different times between the Frasers of Philorth and the Frasers of Muchalls, another branch originating in the Tweeddale area. During the reign of Charles I, the family supported the king’s authority in Scotland. Fraser forces later fought against Oliver Cromwell during the Anglo-Scottish wars. The political consequences were serious, and members of the family dispersed. Several Fraser sons and descendants emigrated to the American colonies, where some used the surname Frizzell and established themselves in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Maryland. Their descendants entered into marriage alliances with prominent colonial families, including the Carters of Corotoman in Virginia. The Scottish branch continued its military and political involvement. Andrew, identified as the 2nd Lord Fraser, remained at Kemnay and Castle Fraser until his death in 1623. His eldest son, the 3rd Lord Fraser, later identified as Alexander Fraser, 11th Lord Saltoun, and his brothers fought under David Leslie at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. Following the restoration of Charles II, Parliament ratified the Saltoun title in 1670. After the death of the 3rd Lord Fraser in 1693, the title passed to his grandson William Fraser, 12th Lord Saltoun. The line later became associated with the Jacobite rising known as the Fifteen. The 4th Lord Fraser died in 1716 while evading capture, and the Fraser peerage consequently became extinct. The Saltoun succession and the wider chiefship tradition nevertheless continued through the family’s established hereditary line. In the present day, Katharine Fraser, 22nd Lady Saltoun, is identified as head of the Frasers of Philorth and chief of the name and arms of Clan Fraser. The family’s heraldic arms are azure, bearing three silver cinquefoils. These are interpreted specifically as stylized strawberry flowers rather than generic five-lobed leaves. The plain, undifferenced arms are reserved for the Lord or Lady Saltoun. The Frasers of Philorth therefore remain a historic Scottish family defined by lineage, peerage, clan leadership, estates, and heraldry rather than by a conventional commercial enterprise.

• 1934

  Philorth Castle returns to the family

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  Alexander Fraser, 19th Lord Saltoun, reacquired Philorth Castle after it had been outside the family for more than three centuries.

• 1716

  Fraser peerage expires

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  The 4th Lord Fraser died while evading capture after involvement in the Fifteen, causing that Fraser peerage to expire.

• 1670

  Saltoun title ratified by Parliament

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  Following the Restoration, Parliament ratified the title associated with the Fraser succession and the Lords Saltoun.

• 1650

  Participation in the Battle of Dunbar

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  Alexander Fraser and his brothers fought under David Leslie at Dunbar during the conflict with Cromwell’s forces.

• 1596

  Pittulie Castle constructed

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  Pittulie Castle was built in the period of the family’s expanding architectural and territorial activity in the Fraserburgh area.

• 1592

  Royal charter for Faithlie

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  James VI granted Alexander Fraser a charter supporting the settlement’s development, harbour improvements, and emergence as the free port and burgh of Fraserburgh.

• 1569

  Development of Fraserburgh begins

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th Lord of Philorth, began major development works, including a church and the Tower of Kinnaird’s Head, later called Fraserburgh Castle.

• 1546

  Faithlie becomes a burgh of barony

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  The Frasers established Faithlie as a burgh of barony, giving the settlement a formal civic and administrative status.

• 1504

  Acquisition of Faithlie

  [1]Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org

  The family purchased the fishing community of Faithlie near Kinnaird Head, establishing the territorial foundation for its later development of Fraserburgh.

A historic Scottish aristocratic and clan lineage represented through hereditary titles, family estates, genealogy, and heraldic tradition.

1. 1Frasers of Philorthen.wikipedia.org