Pre-1600
Invercauld Estate lies to the south and east of Braemar. The
Farquharsons originate from Farquhar son of Shaw (alias Mackintosh),
who emigrated from Rothiemurchus in the 1400’s. Farquhar’s grandson
was Finlay Mor Farquharson (1480-1547), treated as father of the
clan. Between 1440-1565, the lands of the earldom of Mar (who
previously owned the area), were in the hands of the Crown, and in
1539 Finlay Mor Farquharson was registered as sole tenant of
Invercauld. Finlay’s father Donald married Isobel Stewart, heiress
of Invercauld, and it is presumed this is how Invercauld (which was
already an old castle) came into Farquharson possession. Finlay Mor
died in the Battle of Pinkie, fighting for the Jacobites. His sons
spread far and wide, and several of their descendants, including the
Farquharsons of Invercauld, still own and farm land in Northeast
Scotland.
1600’s
1628 saw the completion of the building of Braemar Castle by John
Erskine, 18th Earl of Mar, primarily to keep the nearby Farquharsons
in check. In 1689 John Farquharson of Inverey and Balmoral,
nicknamed ‘the Black Colonel’ on account of his dark complexion and
close association with Viscount Dundee’s army, attacked and burned
down Braemar Castle. John Farquharson (1673-1750), 9th Laird of
Invercauld, bought the ruined castle and years later, in 1748,
leased it to the government to house Hanovarian troops.
1700’s
In the 18th century the Farquharsons were eventually able to
purchase their possession rights to the land, from the Crown, after
the attainder of the Earls of Mar, as a result of the Jacobite
uprising of 1715. During the tenancy of James Farquharson (10th
Laird of Invercauld) over fourteen million trees were planted on the
Estate.
1800’s
During the this time much work was carried out constructing and
improving the residential buildings. The Farquharsons of Balmoral
sold up and Queen Victoria bought the land. Invercauld Castle in
particular was extended in the Victorian style with obvious
influences from the neighbouring brand new Balmoral.
1900’s
This was the great age of grouse shooting and deer stalking with
record grouse bags being taken in the 1920’s. The present 16th Laird
Captain Alwyne Farquharson assumed the title in 1941 when his Aunt
Myrtle Farquharson was killed in a London bombing raid. A major
portion of the grouse moors were let on a long term basis to HM the
King, latterly the Queen and the Prince of Wales.
2000’s
Today the Estate is run as a modern business owned by Family Trusts
under the guidance of Captain Farquharson and other members of his
family. Braemar Castle is on a long lease to the Community of
Braemar, a charity which keeps the castle open to the public. Salmon
fishing, grouse shooting, deer stalking, as well as skiing, forestry
and tourism all form parts of the diverse management of Invercauld
Estate.
Further information on the Farquharsons can be found on the website
for those descendants of the Farquharsons: http://www.farquharson-clan.co.uk/index.htm
Book by Geoffrey Farquharson, 2005, entitled ‘Clan Farquharson; a
History’.
Shield on Invercauld House, when Alexander Farquharson made
alterations to the house in 1674.
Lion rampant: denotes descent from Earls of Fife
Galley: descent from Clan Chattan (a confederation of clans)
Supported by wildcats
