Tartan Tales of Clan Wilson

Many years ago, my Great Aunt became wrapped up in our Wilson Family heritage and decided to apply to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. In order to become a DAR member, one has to track family lineage unbroken all the way back to earliest colonial settlers. She was quite successful and did indeed become a DAR member after all her research was thoroughly vetted and confirmed. She did have some interesting stories to share at family gatherings.

One that stands out is the impact that a Wilson had on the early history of the United States. James Wilson, it turns out, was one of the first and original signatories on the Declaration of Independence and also the first Supreme Court Justice. The details were sketchy as to what his complete involvement was in the Revolutionary War but the fact that he was a prominent member of the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution speaks to the fact that the Wilsons had a significant part to play in the formation of the country.

By way of some additional tidbits, James Wilson was born in Caskardy, Scotland in 1742 which I believe is in the Fife area and was raised in a poor farming family. He immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1765. He was one of only four people to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. He is also attributed to establishing the United States Electoral College which is still the way the elections are run to this date. Historians credit him as being the second most influential person when the founding documents were developed and is considered a brilliant political theorist. Not bad for a poor Scottish farmer I'd venture to say!

We spoke to Laurie Scott, Founder of Discover Britain and Ireland, about his bespoke Clan Wilson tours in Scotland.

Laurie takes you on a captivating journey through Scotland's landscape and history, tracing the footsteps of the Wilson Clan. From the bustling streets of Edinburgh to the serene landscapes of Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, and the Scottish Borders, you can immerse yourself in the rich heritage and storied past of the Wilsons. Exploring historic sites, monuments, and landmarks associated with the clan, you gain a deeper understanding of their enduring legacy in Scottish history.

An example of a tour would be starting in Edinburgh and spending the day exploring the Capital city with wanders along the Royal Mile, where medieval and Georgian architecture meets vibrant street life. There is the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched on an extinct volcanic hill, and the tour delves into Scotland's past with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland.

There is time for a personal appointment at ScotlandShop to browse our extensive collection of Wilson Clan's ancient and modern tartan, bespoke clothing and unique items to take home.

The tour then travels west to explore Lanarkshire, where the Wilsons' history runs deep. Learn more about the land that was acquired in Carnwath in Lanarkshire by James Wilson in 1655, establishing a significant connection to the region. Explore the ruins of the Wilsontown Ironworks near the village of Forth, founded by the three Wilson brothers in 1779 and discover the pioneering legacy of the Wilson family in establishing the first integrated ironworks in world history. There is time to explore the Wilsontown Heritage Trail to learn more about this unique heritage.

Continuing southwest to Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire, regions with strong historical links to the Wilson Clan, the tour explores the history of Michael Wilson, the Burgess of Irvine in 1418, and the significant role the Wilsons played in the area's history. Then heading further south, where the Wilson name becomes even more poignant in Scottish history and a visit to the monuments on Windy Hill and Myter's Stake on the edge of Wigtown Bay, commemorating Margaret Wilson. Margaret was one of the Wigtown Martyrs executed by the Scottish Episcopalians in 1685 and there is a visit to Margaret's grave in Wigtown Old Kirk.

Finally, the tour journeys through the Scottish Borders to Berwick, where the surname Wilson has its earliest record and John Wilson was the Burges of Berwick in 1467. Here there is an opportunity to explore the surrounding area, discovering the history of the Wilsons in this region.

This tour can be part of a more encompassing tour exploring Scotland or deeper more in-depth focus on the Wilson Clan's history. Sounds fantastic to us!

I am Kirsti Wilson, and my journey with the Wilson clan began in 2006 when I married my husband, Keith Wilson. We have a daughter named Lana, who is the youngest member of our Wilson family.

One special photograph shows Keith standing proudly with four generations of Wilson men: Jim Wilson, Bob Wilson, Alan Wilson, and Keith himself.

Among the four, Keith's grandfather Bob Wilson (photo attached) stood out as the most renowned figure in the Wilson clan. He made a name for himself by playing rugby in the 1950s for Gala, South of Scotland, the Barbarians, and even the Scottish national team.

My connection with the Wilson clan extends beyond the Scottish Borders! I have developed a close bond with my brother-in-law, Ian Wilson, who resides in the vibrant city of Hong Kong with his wife Lydia.

I am the Property Manager with Unique Cottages, based in the beautiful Scottish Borders. I love working with our owners from all over the world bringing their Scottish properties to our portfolio for guests to enjoy all year round.

We are truly lucky to live in a stunning part of the world – even when it rains and snows. When you dip into our website, it’s a journey through Scotland’s most stunning locations full of unique properties, small and large, but all within Scotland and its Islands.

I am very fortunate in that both my names are those of famous Scottish families - Stewart and Wilson!

With a name like that I guess becoming a Tour Guide in Scotland was inevitable. Alas, I have not been able to trace any noble blood in my veins, instead I come from generations of Borderers on both sides of the family - weavers and farmers - and that's special enough.

It has always felt to me that The Wilsons were the workhorses of Scotland, rather than the power brokers. More apt to be downstairs than upstairs! My ancestral, paternal Wilsons hailed from Dumfriesshire before making Peeblesshire home, where textile weaving mills and knitting wool provided generations of employment.

I have lived in sight of the River Tweed my whole life and am passionate about my homeland, taking this passion a step further last year by leaving my corporate job to become a Borders based Tour Guide and Blogger. It's been a rollercoaster of a journey, and I love bringing guests to the South of Scotland to share our unique culture and landscape with them.

My favourite place to take guests in The Borders has to be Smailholm Tower. Not only does it have associations with the great Border clans of Douglas, Pringle and Scott, but it is evocative of both the mysterious ballads of the area, and the turbulent warfare which shaped our character. Today it is wonderfully peaceful and the 360 views of the whole Borderland aren't too shabby either!

Image Sources:

James Wilson - in the Public Domain

Wigtown Bay Nature Reserve - Visit Scotland / Kenny Lam