Culdares

The title Menzies of Culdares came to prominence following the extinction of the main Menzies of Weem line in 1911. The Clan was without a Chief until Col. Ronald Steuart Menzies of Culdares and Arndilly, the lineal heir of Colonel James Menzies of Culdares, a prominent Covenanting officer and cousin of the first Baronet, petitioned Lyon Court in 1957 and obtained arms in the title of "The Menzies of Menzies". His son, David Steuart Menzies of Menzies is the present Chief. The title Menzies of Culdares was matriculated to his second son, Simon Menzies of Culdares, in 2006. Meggernie Castle in Glen Lyon, Perthshire was the Seat of the Culdares line

Scotland is indebted to the Menzies of Culdares for the introduction of the larch tree which now flourishes all over the Highlands. Menzies of Culdares, "Old Culdares", who had been pardoned for his participation in the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion, brought the first larches from the Austrian Tyrol in 1737 and presented them to the Duke of Atholl. Two of the original saplings, now grown to a great size, can be seen beside Dunkeld Cathedral.

Culdares, near Fortingall, Perthshire is the possible site of a castle or old house. It was held by the Moncreiffes, but passed to the Menzies family. Colonel James Menzies of Culdares was a Royalist officer during the Civil War in the seventeenth century and was wounded nine times in various fights. Menzies of Culdares fought for the Jacobites in the 1715 Rising, but was captured after the rebellion and was exiled to North America. He was an agricultural improver, and introduced the larch to Scotland. He was too old to take part in the 1745-46 Rising, but sent Bonnie Prince Charlie a fine horse, delivered by his servant, MacNaughton.

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