Forfar

History

During one of the Roman invasions of modern-day Scotland, the Romans established a major camp at Battledykes, approximately 3 miles (5 km) north of Forfar; this camp was analysed to have held 50,000 to 60,000 men. From Battledykes northward the Romans established a succession of camps including Stracathro, Raedykes and Normandykes. During the Middle Ages, a "claimant" to the throne, the daughter of the leader of the Meic Uilleim, who were descendants of King Duncan II, had her brains dashed out on Forfar market cross in 1230 while still an infant. During the First War of Scottish Independence, the castle of Forfar was held by the English. After Robert the Bruce's victory over the Earl of Buchan, Philip, the Forester of Platane, together with some of his friends, raised ladders against the wall and, climbing over, surprised the garrison and killed them. He then yielded the castle to Bruce, who rewarded him and gave instructions for its slighting. During the 16th and 17th century, several witch trials took place in Forfar, the last of which took place in 1662 and in which 52 people were accused. At the time, Forfar was a town of around 1000 inhabitants, with an additional 2000 people residing in the county. After attending the funeral of a daughter of Patrick Carnegie of Lour on the 9th of May 1728, Forfar became the place of the accidental killing of Charles Lyon, 6th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne by James Carnegie of Finhaven. Lyon of Brigton who was of foul temper, bullied Carnegie throughout the day during and by 9pm a mortally drunk Carnegie was attack by Lyon of Brigton who threw him into a kennel, (sewer) on Castle Street. Carnegie humiliated drew his sword and stumbled towards the retreating Brigton. The Earl stepped in between them at the tragic…