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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Guthrie

Guthrie Clan Tattoos - The lands known as Guthrie lie in Angus, and the family who took this as their name is one of the oldest in the county. The name's origin is not known.

The is a fable that the lands were named by an early Scots king after a fisherman 'gut three' fish to serve his hungry monarch. A more likely origin lies in the Gaelic 'gaothairach', 'windy place'. King William the Lion granted the lands of Gutherin to the Abbey of Arbroath around 1178. The family who were royal falconers, subsequently purchased these lands. In 1299 the Laird of Guthrie was sent to France to invite William Wallace to Return to Scotland. The embassy was successful, and Guthrie landed with Wallace at Montrose.

Sir David Guthrie of Guthrie was armour bearer to the king and captain of their guard, later being appointed Lord Treasurer of Scotland in 1461. In 1468 he obtained a charter under the great seal to build a castle at Guthrie and this remained the residence of the chiefs until very recently. In 1473 he became Lord Chief Justice of Scotland. He greatly increased the family estates, and founded a collegiate church at Guthrie, the dedication which was confirmed by Papal Bull of 1479 .

His eldest son, Sir Alexander Guthrie, fell at Flodden in September 1513.

The Guthries were quick to support the reformed religion, and in 1567 signed a bond upholding the authority of the infant King James VI against that of his mother, Queen Mary. At this time the Lairds of Guthrie were feuding with their neighbours, the Gardynes, and Alexander Guthrie was assassinated at Inverpeffer.

Clan Guthrie Motto:  Sto Pro Veritate ~ From Latin: I Stand for the Truth

See also: Claddagh, Thistle Tattoos, Scottish Lion Tattoo Designs, Welsh Dragon Tattoos, Scottish Tattoo Designs, Celtic Tattoo Designs, Family Crests Sword