The Scrimgeour family hold one of the most remarkable hereditary offices in Scotland — the office of Standard-Bearer of Scotland, granted to them by Robert the Bruce in the early 14th century. The name itself derives from the Old French 'escrimisseur,' meaning 'a fencer' or 'swordsman.' The family settled in Angus and built their power around Dundee, becoming Constables and Provosts of the city for generations. Their most famous moment came at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314) when the Scrimgeour standard-bearer carried Scotland's banner in Bruce's great victory.
Like most Scottish clans, the Scrimgeour family's fortunes were shaped by the great upheavals of Scottish history — the Wars of Independence, the Reformation, the Jacobite risings, and eventually the Highland Clearances. Their story is woven into the broader narrative of Scotland's past.
The Scrimgeour clan's territory of Dundee, Angus, Tayside placed them at the intersection of some of Scotland's most important historical events. Their alliances, feuds, and political allegiances shifted with the tides of Scottish history, and their story reflects the complexity of clan society at its height.
The clan system that defined Highland Scotland for centuries was not simply a military organisation — it was a complete social structure built on kinship, obligation, and shared identity. The Scrimgeour clan was part of this world, with all its loyalties and rivalries.
The Scrimgeour family have held the position of Hereditary Standard-Bearer of Scotland since the time of Robert the Bruce. The current holder of the title is the Earl of Dundee. The family seat of Dudhope Castle in Dundee was an important Scottish fortress for centuries.
The Scrimgeour name is relatively rare but is found across the Scottish diaspora, particularly in Australia and Canada. The Scottish diaspora — built by emigration, clearance, and opportunity — spread Scrimgeour families across the world. The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand all received waves of Scottish emigrants who carried their clan identity with them.
Today, people with Scrimgeour ancestry can trace their roots through DNA testing, the Scottish Register of Tartans, and clan societies that maintain the connections between Scotland and its global family.
Like all Scottish clans, the Scrimgeour family is associated with specific tartans and heraldic symbols that encode their history and identity. These symbols serve as a living link between the present-day diaspora and their Scottish ancestry.
Clan gatherings, Highland Games, and heritage events around the world provide opportunities for Scrimgeour descendants to connect with their Scottish roots and with each other.
The Love Scotland newsletter goes deep into the stories behind Scottish clans, history, and diaspora communities. Join 42,000 readers who love Scotland's heritage.
Subscribe to Love Scotland — Free