Hugh Fraser, 9th Lord Lovat (1666-1696), was hereditary Chief of

Clan Fraser of Lovat Clan Fraser of Lovat ( ) is a Highland Scottish clan and the principal branch of Clan Fraser. The Frasers of Lovat are strongly associated with Inverness and the surrounding area since the Clan's founder gained lands there in the 13th century. ...

, but the period of his lordship is generally considered a troubled time for the Clan.

Early life

He was the son of

Hugh Fraser, 8th Lord Lovat Hugh is the English-language variant of the masculine given name , itself the Old French variant of '' Hugo (name)">Hugo'', a short form of Continental Germanic Germanic name">given names beginning in the element "mind, spirit" (Old English ). ...

(2 May 1643/1649-27 April 1672) and Anne MacKenzie. Both his parents died when he was young, and he was brought up from the age of six at Castle Leod by his uncle and guardian, Sir George Mackenzie of Tarbat. One historian has described this as ‘a sort of genetic kidnap’ of the chiefly authority, in order to expand the power of the Clan Mackenzie into the adjacent Fraser lands. Management of the Lovat estates were placed under the control of the

Earl of Seaforth Earl of Seaforth was a title in the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland, derived from Loch Seaforth on the coast of Lewis. It was held by the family of Mackenzie from 1623 to 1716, and again from 1771 to 1781. History The Mackenzie ...

, chief of the

Clan Mackenzie Clan Mackenzie ( ) is a Highland Scottish clan associated with Kintail and Ross-shire. Its chiefs trace their lineage to the 12th century, though the earliest recorded chief is Alexander Mackenzie of Kintail, who died after 1471. The clan suppo ...

Marriage and family

In 1687 Tarbat further bolstered his control over the

Clan Fraser Clan Fraser is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.Way, George and Squire, Romily. ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Publis ...

by arranging for Hugh to marry Lady Amelia Murray. She was the daughter of the Marquis of Atholl, an important member of the powerful

Clan Murray Clan Murray () is a Highland Scottish clan. The chief of the Clan Murray holds the title of Duke of Atholl. Their ancestors were the Morays of Bothwell who established the family in Scotland in the 12th century. In the 16th century, descendants ...

. The marriage contract contained an unusual proviso. Instead of the usual situation of a cadet branch taking over the lordship in the absence of a male heir, the estates and title of Lovat would instead go to the eldest daughter. Should she marry anyone with the name of Fraser, her husband would then assume control. It was a possible means for a man from any clan to assume control of the Lovat estates simply by legally adopting the Fraser name. Hugh and Amelia had several daughters: Amelia (b.1686) Anne (b 1689), Catherine (b.c. 1692) and Margaret (b.1695). He had two sons, Hugh (b.1690) and John (b.1695) but both boys predeceased him, which gave enhanced importance to the proviso of his marriage contract.

Clan leader

Hugh, notable only for his ‘poor physical and mental calibre’ was an ineffectual leader of his Clan. In the Jacobite rising of 1689 following the ‘

Glorious Revolution The Glorious Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1688, was the deposition of James II and VII, James II and VII in November 1688. He was replaced by his daughter Mary II, Mary II and her Dutch husband, William III of Orange ...

’, Hugh instructed his clansmen to stay out of the fight. In this he was undoubtedly influenced by his Mackenzie and Murray relatives, who had sided with the government. However, the clansmen flocked to the Jacobite side instead, under the leadership of other Fraser gentlemen.

Early death

In 1696, the year his last son John died, he repudiated the unusual proviso of his marriage contract with Amelia Murray as having been made under duress, and he assigned the succession to his great-uncle, Thomas Fraser. A few months later, perhaps as a result of excessive drink, Hugh himself died, aged 30. This ended the direct male line of the Lovat Frasers extending back to 1458.

References

1666 births 1696 deaths Nobility from Highland (council area) Lords of Parliament (pre-1707) Lords Lovat Clan Fraser Chiefs {{Lord-of-Parliament-stub