Alexander Fraser (died 1623)

Alexander Fraser of Philorth (died 1623) was a Scottish landowner and founder of Fraserburgh.

Alexander Fraser's castle at Kinnaird Head was converted into a lighthouse in 1787
Patron stone to Alexander Fraser of Philorth, old Rathen church

He was the eldest son of Alexander Fraser (died 1564) younger of Philorth and Beatrix Keith, a sister of William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal. Their home at Philorth is now known as Cairnbulg Castle.

In March 1570 he started building a tower at Kinnaird Head and a church nearby.[1] He continued to develop the harbour at Faithlie, the modern Fraserburgh, and commenced building a new harbour in 1576.[2] In 1597 he obtained a charter to found a college or university.[3]

James VI wrote to him in April 1589 asking for money to advance his projected marriage with Anne of Denmark.[4] He was knighted at the baptism of Prince Henry at Stirling Castle on 30 August 1594. Fellow knights, including John Boswell of Balmuto had also contributed to the funds for the royal wedding.[5]

He died in July 1623.

There is a portrait of him depicted around the year 1597, including a small dog. The National Museum of Scotland has a pair of small miniatures of Alexander Fraser and his wife Magdalen Ogilvie. These were probably originally set within lockets of gold enamel work like similar Scottish examples.[6]

Marriages and children
Alexander Fraser younger built Pittulie Castle in the 1590s

Fraser married Magdalen Ogilvie, daughter of Walter Ogilvie of Dunlugas. He married a second wife Elizabeth Maxwell in 1606, a daughter of John, Lord Herries, and widow of John Gordon of Lochinvar. Her son, Robert Gordon of Lochinvar was knighted at Stirling in 1594.

The children of Alexander Fraser and Magdalen Ogilvie included:[7]

References
  1. Alexander Fraser, The Frasers of Philorth, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1879), p. 152.
  2. Keith Brown, Noble Society in Scotland: Wealth, Family, and Culture from the Reformation to the Revolution (Edinburgh, 2000), pp. 50, 99.
  3. Alexander Fraser, The Frasers of Philorth, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1879), p. 154.
  4. Alexander Fraser, The Frasers of Philorth, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1879), p. 158.
  5. Thomas Rymer, Foedera, vol. 16 (London, 1715), p. 263: Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 11 (Edinburgh, 1936), p. 412: William Fowler, A True Reportarie (Edinburgh, 1594).
  6. Rosalind Marshall & George Dalgleish, The Art of Jewellery in Scotland (Edinburgh, 1991), p. 19.
  7. Alexander Fraser, The Frasers of Philorth, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1879), pp. xiv, 152, 161.
  8. Charles McKean, Scottish Chateau (Stroud, 2001), pp. 151-2.
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