The Scotts of the Border

The Scotts are a Border family whose name simply marks them out as Scots. The earliest records are twelfth-century: Uchtred filius Scoti appears in charters around 1120, and the Buccleuch estate’s own history refers to a Scott living in Peeblesshire by 1116.

Descendants of Sir Richard Scott gained lands at the head of Ettrick, and he served as ranger of Ettrick Forest, establishing the family at Buccleuch. The Scotts spread through Teviotdale, Eskdale and Liddesdale, holding Branxholme, Newark, Aikwood and Kirkhope. Sir Michael Scott fought for Bruce and died at Neville’s Cross in 1346. Walter Scott, 1st Lord Scott of Buccleuch, “Bold Buccleuch”, carried off Kinmont Willie Armstrong from Carlisle Castle in 1596, one of the best-known Border raids. In 1663 the heiress Anna, Countess of Buccleuch, married James, Duke of Monmouth, and the dukedom of Buccleuch descends from that marriage. Sir Walter Scott the novelist came of the Scotts of Harden.

The Scott tartans

The Scottish Register of Tartans records a family of Scott setts rather than a single one: Scott, Scott Black and White, Scott Green, Scott Dress, Scott Green (Sir Walter) and Scott Hunting among them. The green and the black-and-white are the two most often worn today.

A note on honesty, and this is the weakest of the twenty for provenance: no authoritative source could be found giving a date, a weaver or a collection for the first recording of the Scott sett. Rather than invent one, this page says so plainly. If you want certainty on a particular Scott pattern, the Scottish Tartans Authority is the place to ask.

Family facts

References

1. Scott tartans — The Scottish Register of Tartans
2. The Scotts of Buccleuch — Bowhill House
3. The History of Tartan — The Scottish Tartans Authority