The Stewarts of Baldorran and Balquhidder

The Stewarts of Baldorran and Balquhidder

Baldorran, Milton of Campsie, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Baldorran, Campsie, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Sir James Beag Stewart of Albany, 1st of Baldorran and Royal Baillie of Balquhidder

Sir James Beag Stewart, of Albany and 1st of Baldorran and Balquhidder,   b. Abt 1425, Antrim, Ireland,   d. Between 1470 and 1484, Scotland. He was the only son of Sir James Mhor Stewart of Albany.

Sir James was born after his father fled to Ireland in 1425 and before his father died in 1429. His mother’s identity is not known for certain, but she is believed to have been a daughter of Eoin Mor Tanister MacDonald, Lord of the Glens of Antrim, son of John MacDonald, Lord of the Isles. James would have been no more than four years old when his father died.

The Death of King James I and the Return of the Stewarts of Albany…sort of

In March 1437, King James I was assassinated by Sir Robert Graham of Kinpont, and brothers Christopher and Robert Chambers, all former servants to the Dukes of Albany, and later servant to Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl, younger brother of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. Walter was also convicted for participating in the assassination. The assassination created a power-shift in Scotland.

As the newly crowned King James II was only 6 years old, Archibald Douglas, Earl of Douglas, was named as Regent. Douglas was an old ally of the Albany family. Isobel, Countess of Lennox, powerful grandmother of James Beag Stewart, was released from her imprisonment and seems to have worked to have all her illegitimate grandchildren brought home from Antrim, Ireland as quickly as possible. James Beag Stewart would have been about 11 years old at the time of his return to Scotland.

On 12 May 1437, Isabella, as “Duchez of Albany and Countas of Leuenax,” issued a precept of sasine detailing that she granted a number of lands to her dearest “nevo” (most likely meaning grandson rather than nephew), James Beag Stewart of Albany, one of Sir James Mhor’s children. The lands are not listed in the document. (Devlin) The date of this charter indicates that Isobel of Lennox was successful in bringing her grandchildren home within mere weeks of the King’s assassination.

Several sources indicate that James Beag Stewart was permitted to return to Scotland after a royal pardon, however we have found no evidence of any royal pardon. The charter above would seem to indicate that James, along with the rest of the Albany grandchildren, returned home because of the efforts of their powerful grandmother, Isobel, Countess of Lennox. As James was not born when his father was banished, he would have done nothing to need pardoning from. Thus, there should have been no impediment to his return to Scotland.

According to Stewart Clan Magazine, James “was knighted by King James II.” (SCM, Tome C, April 1934, vol. xi, no. 10, page 42.)

James Beag Chooses a Quiet Life

Unlike his Albany cousins, Sir James never sought legitimation for his birth, thus he was never restored to the royal succession, although he continued to style himself as “of Albany” for the rest of his life. (Devlin) There is no record of why Sir James never sought legitimation, but it could have been a way of assuring the king that he was no threat to the royal succession and, unlike his father, James Beag had no designs on the throne.

The First Stewart of Balquhidder

[Most accountings of this family (including our own old website) show Sir James Beag Stewart as being 1st of Baldorran, but not possessing lands in Balquhidder. It was previously believed that James’ son, Sir William Stewart, was the first of this family in Balquhidder. Recent research by Gordon MacGregor (The Red Book of Scotland) and Shayna Devlin, PhD, have revealed documents showing that James was, in fact, the first Royal Baillie in Balquhidder and was granted lands there.]

John Stewart of Darnley first conveyed the (western) half-part of the lands of Balindoran, in the Earldom of Lennox and the Sheriffdom of Stirling, by charter 10 March 1457 and, in which, he is styled as “natural son of the late James Stewart, Sir Murdoch Stewart’s son.” He had the rental of half of the Lordship of Balquhidder from the crown in 1463 and had a second charter from John Stewart of Darnley for the east half of the lands of Balindoran on 7 January 1464. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

There was also a charter “by John Stewart, Lord Darnley, to James Stewart of Albany, natural son of the deceased James Stewart, son of the deceased Sir Murdoch Stewart, sometime Duke of Albany, of the middle-part of the eastern part of the lands of Baldorane in the Earldom of Lennox and Sheriffdom of Stirling.” Witnesses include: Andrew Stewart, Lord Avendale, Chancellor (James’ first cousin). Dated 7 January, 1464. (RMS 1424-1513. No. 858) (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

Sir James married his first-cousin-once-removed, Annabel Buchanan, daughter of Patrick Buchanan, 13th of that Ilk. Her grandmother was Isabel Stewart, James’ aunt.

Sir James’ son, Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Baldorran, acted as procurator to his father in a sasine to him for the lands of Balindoran on 17 January 1464 and succeeded him as Baillie of the Crown lands within Lordship of Balquhidder from which he received a payment from the Exchequer in 1467. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland) This would indicate that James died between 1464-1467. It was previously believed that Sir William was the first Royal Baillie of Balquhidder in this family, however this entry would indicate that James was also appointed as Royal Baillie.

Sliochd Tigh nan Eilean

Stewarts of the South says the following about James, but it seems unlikely that an anecdote of this nature would survive 400 years. It seems more likely that this reference has been conflated with one of the later Jameses in the family, especially when this James’ daughter-in-law was a Campbell.

“James Beg of Baldorran in the parish of Campsie, Stirlingshire, was predecessor of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich, commonly called Slioch Toigh Nellain from a fortified island in Lochvenacher, Callendar Parish where James Beg usually resided and had different skirmishes with the Campbells and came off with success. Those Campbells are said to be of the family of Breadalbane which I think is not correct as the Breadalbane family had no branches and but little power at that time.” – Stewarts of the South

There is a small crannog island in Loch Venacher, called Portnellan Island, just offshore from Portnellan farm, which was held by a younger son of James Mhor Stewart, 4th of Balquhidder, the great-grandson of this James. The island shows signs of earlier fortification.

Duncan Stewart (1739) writes:

“James Stewart, son to Lord James, son of Murdach, Duke of Albany, is a frequent witness to charters granted by Isabel Dutchess of Albany, his grandmother, wherein he is designed, with the rest of his brothers (sic – he had no brothers, Duncan has confused his first cousins.), d’Albania, the title of Duke Murdoch their grandfather. This James, commonly called James Beag, or little, from his stature, or in contradistinction to his father, who was called James More, or great, is designed Filius naturalis Jacob Stewart, fitz Murdach Ducas Albania, in 1464, when he got from his cousin, John, Lord Darnly, a charter of the lands of Baldorran in Stirlingshire, dated at Stirling the 7th of January foresaid year, and is confimed by King James III the 12th of the same month. He married Annabel Buchanan, daughter to Patrick Buchanan of that Ilk, as evinceth a charter in his and the said Annabel’s favours, of the lands of Duchlass in Dumbartonshire. This charter is granted by King James III likewise the same year. By her he had William, his son and heir, and Janet, married to William Stirling, a brother of the house of Keir, and first of the Stirlings of Lettir, as testifies a charter, granted by James beg Stewart of Baldorran to Janet his duaghter, by his wife Annabel Buchanan, of the lands of Lettir.”

And then later, Duncan Stewart (1739) adds:

“Addenda – According to my account from Mr Crawford, I have said that James Stewart of Baldorran had a daughter, Janet, to whom he gives the lands of Lettir. But there is in the Record, lib 13, num151, a confirmation-charter to William Stewart of Baldorran, whereby he talzies the lands of Lettir (in the Lordship of Strogarthra, and shire of Perth, holden feu of the King, upon payment of sixteen shillings Scots yearly to Janet Stewart, his daughtger, by his wiife, Janet Buchanan, and her lawful heirs, which failing, to Agnes Stewart, his daughter by his foresaid wife, Janet Buchanan, and her lawful [illegible] heirs. The principal charter is dated at Stirling, the 4th day July 1493. Among the witnesses are, Alexander Stewart of Garchell, and James Stewart. And the confirmation under the Great Seal is dated at Edinburgh, the 5th of April 1494.”

Possessions

James Stewart held the following lands:

• Baldorran
• Portnellan (on Loch Vennacher)
• Letter (in Port of Menteith)
• Duchlass (in Strathendrick)
  • (Stewarts of the South refers to this place as Duchlage and says it was located in Roseneath, Argyll. However, documents below indicate that it was located in the Lennox not far from Baldorran.)

Marriage and Children

Duncan Stewart (1739) mistakenly shows James having an extra daughter, Janet who married William Stirling of Lettir. He omits son Andrew of Gartnafuarant and shows him as a grandson by William. He was unaware of the existence of Alexander of Garchell.

James married to Annabel Buchanan, of that Ilk,   b. Abt 1425, Strathyre, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland,   d. UNKNOWN. They had the following children:

Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Baldorran and Royal Baillie of Balquhidder

Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Baldorran and Royal Baillie of Balquhidder, b. Abt 1448, Lennox, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, d. Abt 1513. He was the second son of James Beag Stewart, 1st of Baldorran and Balquhidder, above.

William Stewart’s birthdate is estimated based on his father’s estimated date of birth. His birth location is not known. He was born before his father acquired the lands of Baldorran in 1457, so he was likely born somewhere in his great-grandmother’s lands of the Lennox.

Sir William Stewart’s grandfather, James Mhor Stewart, fled Scotland as a fugitive of the Crown. His father, James Beag Stewart, was born illegitimately but was able to return to Scotland where he was given the lands of Baldorran and half the lands of Balquhidder in 1463. Sir William expanded the family holdings to include parts of Upper Strathgartney and eventually most of Balquhidder.

Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Balindoran, acted as procurator to his father in a sasine to him for the lands of Balindoran on 17 January 1464 and succeeded him as Baillie of the Crown lands within Lordship of Balquhidder from which he received a payment from the Exchequer in 1467. (MacGregor) This would indicate that Sir William inherited Baldorran as well as unspecificed lands in Balquhidder from his father by 1467, Sir William was previously believed to be the first Royal Baillie of Balquhidder in this family, but this entry indicates that his father, James Beag Stewart, 1st of Baldorran, was the first to be appointed Royal Baillie.

Sir William married about 1484 to Janet Buchanan, daughter of Archibald Buchanan of Lettir of Strongartney, from whom he acquired the property of Lettir in Strathgartney.

Sir William Expands the Family Possessions in Balquhidder

Sir William is mentioned in a charter dated 1 May 1484: “Charter by Archibald Buchannane, laird of lands of Lettir, to William Stewart and Janet Buchannane, his spouse, granter’s daughter, and specified heirs of lands of Lettir in lordship of Strongartnay, sheriffdom of Perth.” (GD112/1/18) (Strongartney is on Loch Katrine in Strathgartney and is shown as “Strone” in the lower left corner of the map below.) The charter is followed on 17 MAY 1484 by an instrument of sasine: “Instrument of sasine propriis manibus given by Walter Buchquhanan of Tomboy (“Tombuie”), bailie in that part, for Archibald Buchquhanane, his brother, infefting William Stewart of Baldorane and Jonet Buchquhanane, his spouse, in lands of Lettir, following on [the preceding] charter.” (GD112/1/19) And on 4 JUL 1493, “Charter by William Stewart of Baldorane and of Letter to Jonet Stewart, daughter of granter and Jonet Buchquhannane, his spouse, and specified heirs, of lands of Le Letter, in lordship of Strogarthnaa in sheriffdom of Perth.” (GD112/1/27)

Sir Willam acquired rights to further lands there including those of Balliefoyle from Janet O’Quhannane (Buchanan), daughter and heir of Mungo O’Quhannane of Strathyre, by instruments dated 10 July 1486. (Gordon MacGregor, Red Book of Scotland)

Sir William held joint ownership with Malcolm MacLaren of the townships listed in the Exchequer Rolls of 1488 (listed below). In the Exchequer Rolls of 1502-1515 Sir William and his eldest son, Walter, were confirmed as Crown tenants in the Balquhidder lands and the lands of Estir and Westir Duchraa (these lands were also known as Innerquhawawane and Glenmaan) and Blarbaith. The location of these lands has not been accurately identified, but they are described as forming “part of Glenfinglas” (Ardvorlich MSS). It is believed that Glenmaan is the same as Glean nam Meann, which lands encompass the sheiling lands north of Glenfinglas and south of Glenbuckie. In the portioning of Balquhidder which took place later during the sixteenth century, the descendants of Sir William Stewart of Baldorran gained hereditary tacks of land.

According to The Settlements of Western Perthshire by James Stewart, these lands were all small baile settlements or farm communities. There was nothing in Balquhidder at the time that would be as large as what we would think of as even a village today.

Sir William was a witness to a Procuratory of Resignation by John Comrie of that Ilk in favour of his son and heir, John Comrie, on 21 November 1495 and on 7 November 1500 he was a member of an assise at the retour of Henry Douglas as heir to his deceased father James Douglas in the lands of Auchansk. He was still living in 1509 when he was listed as joint-tenant with his eldest son, Walter, of the crown lands of Stronvar and d. by April of 1513.

Duncan Stewart (1739) mistakenly shows Andrew Stewart of Gartnafuaran as William’s son rather than his brother.

The Stewart Properties in Balquhidder 1480

According to The Settlements of Western Perthshire, the Exchequer Rolls of 1480 list Sir William Stewart and Malcolm MacLaren (Maclery) as assigned to the following lands: Easter Inverlochlarig, Wester Inverlochlarig, Invercarnaig, Immereoch (Innereoch, Immeriabhach), Monachylemore, Monachyle Driseach, Craigruie, Ledcreich, Invernenty, Monachyle Tuarach, Muirlaggan, Stronvar, Dalanlaggan, Lianach, Immereon, Dalquhappagach, Craigantullich (Tullich, Cragyntulye), Cragintoar (probably Lednascriddan), Garachra (Balachra, Glenbuckie shielings), Gartnafuaran, Stronslaney, Ardveich (Ardbeith), Glenogle & Achraw, Edinample (Inneramble), Fasflair (unknown), Videnemble (unknown, possibly part of Edinample), Gersplace Daliamble (Edinample grazings), Dalample, Carstran, Letter, Mill of Ample, Mill of Stronvar, Mill of Carnag (Invercarnaig), Mill of Ardveich (Arbreth).

The Stewart Properties in Balquhidder 1502

The Exchequer Rolls of 1502 list Sir William Stewart and his son, Walter, as receiving the crown rental income from the following properties: Inverlochlarig (Easter and Wester), Invercarnaig, etc, Monachyle Disreach, Ledcreich, Dalanlaggan, Stronslaney, Cragintoryer, Gartnafuaran, Immeriabhach, Monachylemore, Craigruie, Invernenty, Monachyletuarach, Muirlaggan, Stronvar, Lianach, Immereon, Dalquhappagach, Garachra, Ardveich, Glenogle/Achraw, Mill of Ample, Mill of Stronvar, Mill of Carnag (Invercarnaig), Mill of Ardveich.

The Stewart Properties in Balquhidder 1508

The Exchequer Rolls of 1508 list Sir William Stewart and his son, Walter, as receiving the crown rental income from the following properties: Monachyle Driseach, Ledcreich, Dalanlaggan, Cragintulye (Tulluch), Stronslaney, Cragintoryer, Gartnafuaran, Inverlochlarigh (Easter and Wester), Invercarnaig, Imirririabhach, Monachylemore, Craigruie, Invernenty, Monachyle Tuarach, Muirlaggan, Stronvars, Lianach, Immereon, Dalquhappagach, Garachra, Ardveich, Glenogle/Achraw, Inverample, Fasblar, Edinample, Dalample Grass, Dalample, Letters, Auchanvy, Mill of Ample, Mill of Stronvar, Mill of Invercarnaig, Mill of Ardveich.

John Stewart (of Glenbuckie) is confirmed in the lands of Lecreich, Dalanlaggan, Craigintulye (Tulloch), and Stronslaney.
Andrew Stewart (of Gartnafuaran) is confirmed in the lands of Craigintoyer and Gartnafuaran.
(Craigintoyer/Craigintoar is unidentified. James Stewart speculates that it’s a ruin near Gartnafuaran.)

Marriage and Children

Sir William married firstly by 1 May 1484, to Janet, daughter of Archibald de Buchannan,1st of Lettir, (she was widow of Robert Tosheoch, son of Andrew Tosheoch of Monzievaird, by whom she had no apparent issue), when they had a charter from her father for the lands of Lettir, in the Lordship of Strathgartney. They had the following children:

Sir William Stewart married Bef May 1484 to Marion Helen Campbell, of Glenorchy, b. Abt 1460, Glenorchy, Argyll, Scotland, d. UNKNOWN, daughter of Sir Colin Campbell, 1st of Glenorchy, b. Abt 1428, Lochawe, Argyllshire, Scotland, d. 24 Sep 1489, Tower, Strathfillan, Perthshire, Scotland (Age ~ 61 years) and Margaret Stirling, of Keir, b. Abt 1430, Stirlingshire, Scotland, d. UNKNOWN. They had the following children:

Walter Stewart, 3rd of Baldorran and Royal Baillie of Balquhidder

Walter Stewart, 3rd of Baldorran 2nd Royal Baillie of Balquhidder, b. Abt 1478, Baldorran, Campsie, Stirling, Scotland, d. 1547, Scotland. He was the eldest son of Sir William Stewart, 2nd of Baldorran and Balquhidder, above.

Walter Stewart’s date of birth is estimated based on the facts that he received lands in his own name in 1498 and 1500, and based on the estimated dates of birth for the children of his father’s first marriage. Walter’s place of birth is not known, but his presumed to be the family estate of Baldorran.

Walter Stewart, 3rd of Baldorran, was a son by his father’s second marriage and is so-styled when included in a charter by Robert Menzies of Comrie for the lands of Emmercrutage and Croftinderry in favour of William Stewart and Mariote Campbell for the duration of their lives and to their son, Walter, for the duration of his own life dated at Lochtay on 5 October 1498. He had a charter for the lands of Duchlas, in the Earldom of Lennox, from his father on 14 September 1500 and was witness to a charter by Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy for the lands of Schian in favour of his brother John Campbell of Auchreoch on 16 April 1513. (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

Marriage and Children

Walter married Euphemia, daughter of James Reidheugh, 1st of Tulliechettill, with whom he had a charter for the lands of Islanwragan from Janet, daughter and heiress of David Oquhanie, with consent of Charles Campbell, her eldest son and heir, on 18 July 1528, (Gordon MacGregor, The Red Book of Scotland)

Walter Stewart had relations with an unknown woman by whom he had:

Walter Stewart married Euphemia Reidheugh, of Tullichettle, b. Abt 1490, Tullichettle, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, d. UNKNOWN, daughter of James Reidheugh, 1st of Tulliechettill and Cultibraggan, Comptroller of Scotland, b. Abt 1455, Scotland, d. 9 Sep 1513, Branxton, Northumberland, England; Battle of Flodden Field (Age ~ 58 years) and Margaret Simpson, b. Abt 1455, Scotland, d. UNKNOWN. They had the following children:

James Mhor Stewart, in Port of Lochearn (St. Fillans)

Illegitimate son of Walter Stewart, 3rd of Baldorran & Balquhidder

Half-brother of James Stewart, 4th of Baldorran & Balquhidder

Duncan Stewart (1739) says:

“Walter had likewise a natural son, James, who was legitmated under the Great Seal in 1533, and the father is then alive, as he is designed simply, Filius natural, Walter Stewart, de Baldorran.

“James was served heir to Walter Stewart of Baldorran, his father, in the year 1575. He married ___ Stewart, daughter to Patrick Stewart in Glenbucky, and left issue, 1 William, who died without lawful succession, 2 Alexander, first of Ardvorlich, 3 John, of whom Annat, 4 James Oig, and 5 Patrick.”

James’ same-named lawful brother disposed of the family estate of Baldorran and lost the hereditary ballieship of Balquhidder after three generations. James is recorded as having resided in Port of Lochearn (later renamed to St. Fillans) at the east end of Loch Earn.

Marriage and Children

James married his first cousin, a daughter of Patrick Stewart, 2nd of Glenbuckie, with whom he had four children. James also had a natural son, Patrick, by an unknown MacLaren mistress. As natural sons were usually either born pre-or post-lawful marriage, then, assuming James’ wife did not die prematurely, it’s more likely that Patrick was born prior to James’ marriage. Patrick is said to have received a life lease for the farm of Lednascridan about 1533, however as Patrick could not have been an adult to receive property in 1533, and as this date coincides with the legitimizing of James’ own birth, then it would seem more likely that Patrick was born about 1533 and that he may have received a promise of Lednascridan at his birth to be fulfilled upon reaching adulthood. (See notes on Patrick for more information.)

James married to Daughter Stewart, of Glenbuckie, b. Abt 1520, Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, d. UNKNOWN, daughter of Patrick Stewart, 2nd of Glenbuckie, b. Abt 1500, Glenbuckie, Balquhidder, Perthshire, Scotland, d. UNKNOWN and Margaret Lecky, of that Ilk, b. Abt 1500, Leckie, Dumbarton, Scotland, d. UNKNOWN. They had the following children:

The End of the Stewarts of Baldorran and Balquhidder

This ends the Stewarts of Baldorran and Balquhidder. The senior line of this family continues on our Stewarts of Ardvorlich page: