Fraser of Lovat

The Fraser clan was first found in the South of Scotland in the 12th Century, and first found in the Highlands through Sir Andrew Fraser, who obtained the lands of Lovat through marriage. The name Fraser is said to have originated in Normandy.

The Battle of the Shirts involved the Frasers, who supported the claim of Ranald against that of John MacDonald of Moidart. This battle was fought with such terrible casualties that only five Frasers and eight MacDonalds remained alive.

The Frasers opposed Montrose but supported Viscount Dundee. Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, 'the Old Fox', supported the government in the 1715 Rising, but then switched causes in the 1745 Jacobite Risings. For this switch of loyalties, he was executed, although he was not actually commanding the army at Culloden. This army was commanded by his son, who was pardoned for his actions and later went on to raise 1,500 Frasers for service in America.

The direct line failed in 1797. Lady Saltoun is chief of clan Fraser, but the Frasers of Lovat are the Highland branch of the clan.