Clan Fraser: A Legacy of Strawberries, Stags and Readiness
Introduction
Clan Fraser is one of Scotland’s great historic names, but it is best understood in two major branches:
Clan Fraser — the Lowland chiefly line of Fraser of Philorth, with the motto “All my hope is in God.”
Clan Fraser of Lovat — the Highland branch rooted in Inverness-shire, with the motto “Je Suis Prest”, meaning “I am ready.”
Clan Fraser of Lovat is led by Simon Fraser, 16th Lord Lovat, while Clan Fraser of Philorth is led by Katherine Fraser, Lady Saltoun.
Chapter I: Origins of Clan Fraser
The Fraser name is often linked to the French word fraise, meaning strawberry. This may explain why strawberry flowers, or fraises, appear in Fraser heraldry. Clan Fraser of Lovat material also connects the family name with the French word for strawberry.
The clan’s Gaelic name is:
Na Frisealaich
The Frasers became powerful in both Lowland and Highland Scotland. The Lowland Frasers were associated with Philorth, Cairnbulg, Aberdeenshire and Castle Fraser, while the Highland Frasers of Lovat became deeply rooted in Inverness-shire, Beaufort, Stratherrick, Aird and the Great Glen.
Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands
Clan Fraser’s main territories include:
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Aberdeenshire
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Philorth
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Cairnbulg / Philorth Castle
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Castle Fraser
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Pitsligo
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Inverness-shire
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Beaufort Castle
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Lovat
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Aird
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Stratherrick
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The Great Glen
The Lowland Fraser chiefly seat is connected with Philorth Castle, also known as Cairnbulg Castle, while Fraser of Lovat is historically associated with Beaufort Castle.
Chapter III: Important People of Clan Fraser
Sir Simon Fraser
Sir Simon Fraser was one of the great Scottish patriots of the Wars of Independence. He fought during the same era as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and his name became associated with Scottish resistance.
The Frasers of Philorth
The Frasers of Philorth became the senior chiefly line of Clan Fraser. This line is connected with the title Lord Saltoun and the Lowland Fraser tradition.
The current chief is:
Katherine Fraser, Lady Saltoun
Chief of the Name and Arms of Fraser.
The Frasers of Lovat
The Frasers of Lovat became the great Highland branch of the name.
Their chief is traditionally known in Gaelic as:
Mac Shimidh Mòr
The current chief is:
Simon Fraser, 16th Lord Lovat.
Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat
One of the most infamous Frasers was Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, known as the Old Fox. He became deeply involved in Jacobite politics and was executed after the failure of the 1745 Rising.
Chapter IV: Castles, Strongholds and Historic Sites
Castle Fraser
Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire is one of the most iconic Fraser sites. It represents the Lowland and north-east branch of the family.
Philorth / Cairnbulg Castle
Philorth Castle, also known as Cairnbulg Castle, is the seat connected with the Fraser chiefly line of Philorth.
Beaufort Castle
Beaufort Castle was the historic seat of the Frasers of Lovat in Inverness-shire.
The Aird and Stratherrick
The Highland Frasers of Lovat were deeply connected with the Aird, Stratherrick and the lands around Inverness.
Chapter V: Battles, Wars and Clan Events
Clan Fraser history includes:
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The Wars of Scottish Independence
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Border and Lowland power struggles
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Highland expansion
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Clan conflict around Inverness-shire
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Jacobite politics
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The Battle of Culloden
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Modern diaspora clan revival
The Frasers of Lovat were heavily involved in Highland politics and Jacobite history. Fraser of Lovat’s motto, “Je Suis Prest”, meaning “I am ready,” became one of Scotland’s most famous clan mottoes.
Chapter VI: Crest, Motto and Badge
Clan Fraser Crest
The Lowland Fraser crest is:
On a mount, a strawberry plant.
The motto is:
“All my hope is in God.”
Fraser of Lovat Crest
The Fraser of Lovat crest is:
A stag’s head.
The motto is:
“Je Suis Prest”
“I am ready.”
Plant Badges
Clan Fraser is associated with:
Yew
Clan Fraser of Lovat is associated with:
French fraise / strawberry plant.
Chapter VII: Clan Tartans
Clan Fraser has many tartan variants. ScotlandShop notes that Clan Fraser has 14 tartan variants available, while the Scottish Register of Tartans records several Fraser designs.
Important Fraser tartans include:
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Fraser
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Fraser Dress
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Fraser Hunting
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Fraser of Lovat
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Fraser Red
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Fraser Green
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Fraser of Struy
The Fraser 1842 tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 1247.
The Fraser Dress tartan is recorded under reference 1253.
For Fraser of Lovat, ScotlandShop describes the modern tartan as a bold red tartan with deep green accents and fine white lines.
Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions
Clan Fraser represents:
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Lowland noble heritage
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Highland warrior identity
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Strawberry symbolism
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Stag symbolism
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Philorth and Lovat branches
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Castle Fraser and Beaufort Castle
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Jacobite history
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Scottish diaspora pride
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A rich tartan tradition
Associated spellings and names include:
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Fraser
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Frazer
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Frazier
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Frasier
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Frisell
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Frisel
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Frew
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MacShimidh
Chapter IX: Clan Fraser Today
Today, the Fraser name remains strongly represented in Scotland and across the global diaspora.
The two major recognised chiefly lines are:
Clan Fraser / Fraser of Philorth
Chief: Katherine Fraser, Lady Saltoun.
Clan Fraser of Lovat
Chief: Simon Fraser, 16th Lord Lovat.
Modern Fraser identity can be found through:
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Clan societies
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Tartan wearing
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Genealogy research
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Scottish heritage events
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Visits to Castle Fraser, Philorth and Beaufort
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Highland games
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Diaspora communities
Chapter X: Legacy of Clan Fraser
The story of Clan Fraser is a story of two great branches.
One is rooted in Philorth, Aberdeenshire and the Lowland noble world.
The other is rooted in Lovat, Inverness-shire and the Highland warrior tradition.
Its symbols are the strawberry plant and the stag’s head.
Its voices are:
All my hope is in God.
and:
Je Suis Prest — I am ready.
From Castle Fraser to Beaufort, from Philorth to Lovat, from Lowland towers to Highland glens, Clan Fraser continues to carry its history forward.
Tartan Time Machine Closing Paragraph
At Tartan Time Machine, we bring Scotland’s past into the present by exploring the clans, castles, battles, kirkyards, legends and forgotten stories that shaped the nation.
Clan Fraser is one chapter in that greater story — a story of strawberries, stags, castles, tartans, Highland readiness and Lowland faith.
Discover more Scottish history, clan stories, castle features and heritage content at:
www.tartantimemachine.com