An Interview with the Clan Fraser Society of Scotland & the U.K

Although I was born in England my father Hugh Fraser-Clark had been stationed at RAF Dalcross (now Inverness Airport) for 4 years during the war. Whilst telling me about this area (from which our Frasers’ came) he would include tales of the old Lord Lovat who formed the Lovat Scouts who fought against the Boars in South Africa. They then became snipers in the first world war and then commando trainers in the second.

He would also tell me about Simon Fraser The Fox (Lord Lovat 11th ) who was the last man to be beheaded at the Tower of London for his support of Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. So I may have been indoctrinated from an early age but I was always proud of my Fraser heritage.

It fills me with immense pride to be a Fraser, particularly knowing of the splendid history of the clan over many centuries.

We of course have to ask if you have a favourite variant of the Fraser tartan?

Lady Saltoun is the Clan Chief of all Frasers and Lord Lovat is the Chief of the Lovat Frasers. I adhere to Lady Saltoun’s advice on tartans and wear Red Fraser for formal occasions and in the evening and Hunting Fraser during the day. Therefore my choice is Fraser Red Ancient for formal/evening wear and Fraser Hunting Weathered for day wear. I also think that Fraser Red Weathered is a bonny tartan.

There are many stories about the Clan over its hundreds of years history but two are well worth repeating.

The Great Hall of Cairnbulg Castle (Lady Saltoun’s ancestral home) is lined with family portraits’ including one of Sir Alexander Fraser, Lord Saltoun, who took 800 Frasers, as part of a 10,000 strong Scottish army, to fight for King Charles II against Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Cromwell won the day and the King escaped to France. Of the 800 Frasers, Alexander Fraser was the only one to return home to Fraserburgh. This was due to the heroic efforts of his servant James Cardo who, after finding him wounded on the battlefield, transported him on horse nearly 700 miles back home. Quite rightly and sensitively a portrait of James Cardo is placed to face that of Lord Saltoun. The rest of the Frasers were either killed or sold into slavery in the American colonies.

At the Battle of Culloden the Frasers were under the command of Charles Fraser of Inverallochy, who led them in the famous Highland Charge against the Hanoverian Army of King George. The Frasers, being towards the right flank of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Army, were one of the few Clans to break through the first line of the enemy only to be stopped by the second. After the battle the Duke of Cumberland (King George’s son) was inspecting the battlefield when he noticed a severely wounded young Highland soldier, who seemed to be smiling in defiance, sitting on the ground with his head propped up on his arm. The duke halted and turned to his officer (later to become the famous general who died attacking Quebec). 'Wolfe,' said the Duke. 'Shoot me that Highland scoundrel that dares thus look on us with such contempt and insolence."My commission,' replied the gallant officer, 'is at your Royal Highness's disposal, but I never can consent to become an executioner.' Outraged, the Duke confronted his other officers, demanding that one of them draw his pistol upon the helpless Jacobite. Taking courage from their leader, Major Wolfe, they all refused. Finally, the duke called upon a private, who had no choice but to obey. The brave Highland soldier was Charles Fraser of Inverallochy, aged 21, who had commanded the Fraser's in the battle. After this callous act, Cumberland sent a contingent of soldiers to kill any surviving Jacobite's.

Some 13 years later, on the 13th September 1759, at The Battle of Quebec, it was a French speaking Capt. Simon Fraser whose tricking of the French guard allowed that very same, now General, Wolfe to scale the Heights of Abraham to capture Quebec. The Fraser Highlanders, The 78th, performed exceptionally well that day but Wolfe died of his wounds in the battle. The famous painting, The Death of General Wolfe, shows another Simon Fraser, Lieutenant Colonel of the 78th Fraser Highlanders, beside him. The same Simon Fraser, Master of Lovat, son of Lord Lovat, the Fox, who was racing to reinforce Charles Fraser of Inverallochy at Culloden, when the battle ended in defeat for the Jacobite's.

How did you first get involved within the Clan Fraser Society of Scotland & the U.K?

Having always been interested in Scottish history and particularly that of the Clan Fraser I used to search the web site for stories and facts. One time, many years ago, I came across the Clan Fraser Society of Scotland & the UK web page and was impressed with its content and the clan information that it contained. I quickly joined the CFSSUK and have been a member ever since.

You are the Events Secretary for the Society, can you tell us more about your role and the events organised by the society?

In order to promote interest in Clan Fraser and its history and to help members have enjoyable social gatherings we try to have a Clan Fraser Event at least once a year. This usually includes a visit to a sight of significance to the Clan followed by a Clan Fraser Dinner and usually another visit the following day. Typically in 2018 we all met at the Tontine Hotel in Pebbles and then went for a private visit to Neidpath Castle, the oldest Fraser Castle still standing having been acquired by Gilbert Fraser of Oliver in 1190. That night we held a Clan Fraser Dinner to which Kate, Lady Saltoun’s daughter came (Lady Saltoun being 90 does not travel far) and the following day we had a visit around the whisky distillery in Hawick which produces Clan Fraser whisky. In the past we have visited Worcester to view the sights were our 800 Frasers fought for Charles II and had a Clan Fraser Dinner with the Battle of Worcester Society. We had a Clan Fraser tent at the Battle of Bannockburn 700th Anniversary together with a Clan Fraser Dinner at Airth Castle. We annually have a Fraser Table in the International Tent at the Braemar Gathering which is attended by the Queen.

How has your role been affected during lockdown and have your been able to keep in touch with clan members virtually? We hear you have some exciting plans for events despite COVID 19?

Like everybody the activities of the CFSSUK have been severely reduced by Covid 19. We have maintained contact with members by our monthly e letter and our twice yearly News Letter, all produced by our excellent Editor, Graeme Fraser. However two of our planned events had to be cancelled. We intended to take part in the celebrations to mark the 700th Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. As Frasers we had Alexander of Touch Fraser & Cowie and William de Abernethy of Saltoun as signatories to the Declaration in 1320. Our intension was to take part in the parade and Xander Fraser, Lady Saltoun’s grandson, whose forebears were signatories, was to read part of the Declaration. All this, plus our planned Clan Fraser Dinner, had to be cancelled. In October 2020 we had an event organised in the region around Clitheroe and Preston in Lancashire. This was based on the fact that in1648 the Duke of Hamilton led a Scottish Royalist army via Lancaster and near to Clitheroe & Longridge to defeat by Cromwell at Preston, so ending the Second Civil War. In 1651 Charles II led his army to Worcester via this area, including Preston. The 800 Frasers celebrated at our Worcester event were part of that army.

In 1715 the First Jacobite Uprising saw the Jacobite's defeated by the Hanoverians, again at Preston, whilst in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie rode through this area, including Preston to and from Derby. So this area has a significant Scottish/Fraser connection. Yet again this event had to be postponed until sometime in 2021.

I believe you are also about to take on the role of Treasurer & Secretary, are you looking forward to this new challenge?

Yes, shortly I will take over and it will be a hard act to follow. Michael Fraser has held this post for many years and has done a first class job. However, with advancing years he felt he wished to hand over to someone younger (only a bit younger!!) and this will take place shortly. I am looking forward to being in more direct contact with the members and promoting our society to a wide audience.

You are obviously very passionate about the Clan society, what is the most rewarding aspect of being such an active member.

In my current role as Events Secretary I have the very rewarding job of organising our trips and Clan Fraser Dinners which allows me to meet some wonderful members on a regular basis. It also allows me to choose where these events will take place and gives me the pleasure of organising our Clan Fraser Dinners at splendid locations. It is also rewarding to all the members that take part to see that Lady Saltoun’s daughter, Kate, the Mistress of Saltoun and her husband Mark and son Xander Fraser always make the effort to attend.

How can people get involved with the society and are there Fraser Societies overseas for anyone further afield?

People with interest in Clan Fraser can best get involved by joining our Society. There’s full information on our website. It’s excellent value at only £10 p.a. You can then take part in all our events or just enjoy being in contact with your Clan. People can also contact me on events@fraserclan.net. There are also Clan Fraser Societies in Australia and in North America.