John Lindsay of Balcarres

John Lindsay of Balcarres (1552–1598) was secretary of state in Scotland.

He was second son of David Lindsay, 9th Earl of Crawford, by his wife Catherine Campbell, daughter of Sir John Campbell of Lorn. Along with his brother David Lindsay, lord Edzell, he was sent under the care of James Lawson to complete his education on the continent. The French Wars of Religion meant they had to return rapidly from Paris to Dieppe, then moving to the university of Cambridge; John may have returned to Paris subsequently.

Menmuir, Lethnot, and Lochlee, in the gift of the Edzell family, were settled on him; later, under a writ of the privy seal, 11 July 1576, various teinds and a pension also given, and the small estate of Drumcairn, Forfarshire. He was on 5 July 1581 appointed a lord of session under the title Lord Menmuir. In 1586 he purchased the lands of Balcarres (near Colinsburgh in Fife), Balniell, Pitcorthie, and others in the county of Fife, which on 10 June 1592 were united into a free barony. In 1595 he put up the mansion of Balcarres House, which he made his principal residence.

Menmuir was an ally in James VI’s programme of reforms. In 1587 he was employed in framing several acts relating to the constitution of parliament. In April 1588, and again in April 1589, he was appointed one of a commission to inquire into disorders in the University of St Andrews. In November 1589 he began to sit as a member of the privy council. He acquired political influence chiefly on account of his financial ability. On 14 October 1591 he was appointed one of the four financial managers for Anne of Denmark. In July 1593 he was named one of a special council for the management of the queen's revenues, and in January 1596 he was chosen one of the eight commissioners of the exchequer, known as Octavians. He was reputed the ablest financier of the eight; and he was in March appointed lord keeper of the privy seal, and on 28 May secretary of state for life.

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