Clan History

Clan Carnegie first got their name from the area around Carmyllie or Carneggy
near Arbroath in Angus.

The main castle that we associate with the Clan is Kinnaird Castle and that
is because it is the seat of the Chief of the Clan in today’s modern time. The
history that was created by this Clan in this Castle has reportedly gone back
more than six hundred years.

It all began in 1409 when the Duthac of Carnegie married Mariota of Kinnaird.
In this marriage, he accumulated both land and estates within the area of
Kinnaird, including Kinnaird castle. It is from this point and in this area that
a rather important Clan Carnegie line began with its development and formed
the history of the Clan as we now know it today.

It is not known exactly when the castle was built and this is down to a rather
unfortunate incident with a fire that occurred at the castle just after the
Battle of Brechin in the year 1452. The fire destroyed most of the castle and
the contents within, including all written records.

After the year 1616, the Clan Carnegie family began to acquire titles and estates
to add to the castle they already owned through marriage. This was short lived
however, as in 1715 an Earl who was part of the Clan Carnegie family, had the
titles and most of the land and estates confiscated from him due to his support
of a local rebel. The castle remained out of the Clans hands until 1764, when
the then closest living descendant of the Clan Carnegie bought it back. It was
at this time the castle was rebuilt and renovated to establish a large and rather handsome stately home.

Again, this Clan Carnegie settlement within Kinnaird Castle was short lived as
there was yet another fire which destroyed the castle, burning it to the ground
and reducing it down to nothing more than a pile of rubble. Despite the fire, many
of the contents were fortunately saved, so when the castle was rebuilt and
restored, the original contents were placed back into their rightful home. After
two fires, a battle and confiscation, Kinnaird castle is still very much a part of
the Clan Carnegie history and remains in the family to this present day.

It is now home to a descendant of the original Clan Carnegie family and has
been renovated and restored to make it into what we see today.
You can visit Clan Carnegie's famous castle today, although it has become a
rather large farming enterprise, more famous for its carp and trout fishing.
There are small homes there though, that can be let out to guests who wish
to visit Kinnaird Castle and experience a little bit of the
Clan Carnegie history for themselves.