Clan Dundas

History

The Dundas lands lie on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, near South Queensferry. Historic Environment Scotland dates the family's link with the estate to about 1120. Scotland.org names Serle de Dundas, found in deeds from William the Lion's reign, as the earliest dependable record. It also says the family traces its line to Helias, a son of Hutred and, by tradition, a descendant of Gospatrick of Northumberland. We would treat that older descent as tradition.

The Ragman Roll of 1296, the list of those who submitted to Edward I, includes both Serle and Robertus de Dundas. The castle came later. Historic Environment Scotland dates the tower house to about 1416, and says a licence granted in 1424 permitted a further wing at the north-west corner. The parapet was added in the 16th century. The keep now holds Category A listing.

Scotland.org says Sir Archibald Dundas was in the service of James III, and that James IV later gave the family lands that included Inchgarvie, together with permission to build a castle on it. Through the 17th century the family produced soldiers, lawyers and judges. Scotland.org says Sir James Dundas, eldest son of the first of Arniston, was knighted by Charles I in November 1641. The family also divided into branches, among them Arniston, Duddingston, Fingask and Blair.

Henry Dundas, of the Arniston branch, became Lord Advocate in 1775 and Home Secretary in 1791. He was made Viscount Melville in 1802 and died in 1811. The Register's note on Dundas #2 says he introduced a bill to Parliament in 1784 restoring estates forfeited to the Crown. Sir David Dundas, born in 1735, became commander-in-chief of the British Army in 1809. Another line, descended from Sir Thomas Dundas of Kerse, became Lords Dundas of Skea in 1794 and later Earls and Marquesses of Zetland.

The home estate changed hands in the 19th century. Historic Environment Scotland says a detached 17th-century house was taken down, and that William Burn designed a Gothic mansion there in 1818. The Dundas family sold the estate to James Russell in 1875. He sold it to the Stewart Clarks in 1899, and the Historic Environment Scotland record says that family still owns it. We have not checked the current ownership, so treat that as the record's wording.

COSCA gives West Lothian as the clan's lands and names Dundas Castle as the historic seat. Historic Environment Scotland places the castle in the parish of Dalmeny, within the City of Edinburgh council area, because the old county boundaries have changed. COSCA lists a chief of Dundas. We could not reach the Lord Lyon's register or the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs' own page, so we give only the style, Dundas of Dundas. None of the three registered tartans is shown to be medieval.