Barony of Lundie

Barony of Lundie
Craig Ward, Baron of Lundie

The Barony of Lundie is a Scottish feudal Crown barony held as created during the reign of King David II (1329-1371) to John Iles granting him the lands and title of the Baron of Lundie. In June 1489 King James IV confirmed to Andrew, Lord Gray, the lands and Barony of Lundie. A notable holder of the Barony title was Admiral Adam Duncan who led the British fleet to victory against the combined Dutch and French fleet at the Battle of Camperdown in 1797. The title and rights of the Barony of Lundie are currently held by The Much Hon. Craig Ward, Baron of Lundie. He is a solicitor in England and author of the Law Society’s text book on Lasting Powers of Attorney (3rd Ed) (2016).

Lundie is a small village in Angus, Scotland at the head of the Dighty valley in the Sidlaws, north west of Dundee in Scotland. It is surrounded by several lochs and hills. The area is known for its beautiful walks around the local hills of Lundie Craigs. The name Lundie is Gaelic in origin and may be derived from ‘Linn dhu’ meaning the ‘black pool’ or from ‘Linn de’ meaning the pool of God.

The Barony of Lundie is a medieval Barony dating from at least the fourteenth century. During the reign of King David II (1329-1371) John Iles held the Baron of Lundie [RGS.I.App.21370 and 21]. By the time of King Robert III (1390-1406) the tile was held by a Robert Lyall [RGS.APP2.16-1762].

In June 1489 King James IV granted to Andrew, Lord Gray [RGS.II.1860, the lands and Barony of Lundie which had been forfeited by Robert, the 2nd Lord Lyall.During the reign of King James III of Scotland, Lord Lyall had been a Privy Councillor and an ambassador to England. In 1488 was appointed as the Great Judiciary of Scotland. He joined however a group of nobles seeking to revenge the murder of King James III and was then considered to be a rebel, hence the forfeiture. By 6 May 1495, the Lyalls had regained royal favour and King James IV granted Robert Lyall, son and heir apparent of Robert, Lord Lyall, the lands and Barony of Lundie [RGS.II.2252].

The Barony of Lundie was lost by the Lyalls on 9 May 1512 when King James IV granted Grissel Beaton, daughter of David Beaton of Creich, the life rent of the lands and Barony of Lundie in Forfarshire RGS.II.3843]. After Grissel Beaton the Barony was possessed by a branch of the Campbell Clan and remained in their hands until the late seventeenth century.