Guthrie

The Guthrie of Guthrie received this estate by a Charter from King David II of Scotland between the years 1329 and 1371. In 1457, Sir David Guthrie of Guthrie was Armour-Bearer to King James III of Scotland and the Sheriff of Forfar; he became Lord Treasurer of Scotland in 1461 and continued in this office until 1467, when he was appointed Comptroller of the Exchequer. In 1468, he obtained a warrant under the Great Seal to build Guthrie Castle near Friockheim in Angus, which remains standing to this day.

Clan Guthrie fought at the Battle of Flodden Field (1513) against the English. Sir David Guthrie's eldest son Sir Alexander was killed in this battle. The Guthries were supporters of the young King James VI. It was around this time that Alexander Guthrie was murdered following an 80 year feud with the neighboring Clan Gardyne (which continued until 1618).
The Guthries were religious leaders. They were supporters of Presbyterianism against the Roman Catholic church and were ready to back up their beliefs with their lives. In 1640, the position of Bishop of Moray was held by a Guthrie at the fortified seat of Spynie Palace.  However, during the year 1640, the palace was besieged by General Munro of Clan Munro, and Bishop Guthrie was forced to surrender. The bishop's third son Andrew whilst supporting Montrose was captured at the Battle of Philiphaugh and beheaded by Edinburgh's infamous 'Maiden' (a smaller version of the French guillotine). James Guthrie was a minister at Stirling supported the Covenanters he preached openly against the king’s religious views. He was stripped of his office, but he carried on unperturbed until his arrest in 1661. After a swift trial, he was executed later that year. Today Guthrie Castle still stands but has been sold out of the Clan.