Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat

Hugh Fraser, Lord Fraser of Lovat (C. 1545 – 1577)

The son and heir of Alexander Fraser became the 5th Lord Fraser of Lovat at the age of 12 upon the death of his father in 1557. The literature provides an additional appellation, Uisdean Ruadh, Galic for ‘the red’ the reasons for which are not disclosed, but probably because he had red hair. Hugh was born in Kinnell, Forfarshire, Scotland in about 1545.

Hugh Fraser’s life spanned a mere 31 years, but he presided as chief of the Lovat Clan for 19 of those years, the last 6 among the most tumultuous in Scottish history. This was the time of Mary Queen of Scots, who returned from France in 1561 to take up her role as Queen. Her attempt to govern Scotland proved to be about 6 years of chaos and internecine battles between her and contenders for the crown. Lord Fraser is singled out by our sources as one of the most active and loyal of Mary’s supporters and through countless heroic actions on her behalf, received many honors, including charters to additional properties in the Highlands.

Mackenzie tells us that Lord Hugh was a canny politician capable of playing both sides of the aisle. In the immediate wake of Mary’s abdication in 1567, Hugh appeared to join the opposition supporting Mary’s departure. Later, during the 1568 Battle of Langside through which Mary tried to regain the throne, he was again a supporter. In the end, Mary was defeated and fled in exile to England. Following Mary’s departure, Hugh became a firm supporter of the one-year-old King James VI and of the regents that watched over him.

Hugh Fraser married Elizabeth Stewart in 1567. She was the daughter of John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl. They had at least three sons and a daughter: Alexander Fraser, Master of Lovat died in infancy; Simon Fraser, the heir; Thomas Fraser, Prior of Beauly who died on November 26, 1579, at age 8; and Elizabeth Fraser who married Alexander Dunbar of Westfield, Sheriff of Moray.

Hugh died on January 1, 1577, in Cowie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, reported by some to have been poisoned. He was buried in Beauly Priory in Inverness-shire.