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Airlie Estates, including Cortachy Castle and Airlie Castle have been held by the Ogilvy family for at least 700 years. One the most distinguished families in Scotland they take their name from Gillibride, second son of Ghillechriost, Earl of Angus in the 12th Century. Sir James Ogilvy became Lord Ogilvy of Airlie in 1491 and James, 8th Lord Ogilvy was created Earl of Airlie in 1639, and became the recognised chief of all the Ogilvies.
The Bonnie House of Airlie was published by the 12th Earl of Airlie in 1963. The popular and spirited ballad derived from James, Earl of Airlie having left Scotland to avoid being compelled to subscribe the National Covenant, the Estates of Parliament, in June 1640 sent the Earls of Montrose and Kinghorn to take possession of his houses of Airlie and Fortar. On arriving at Airlie Castle they summoned Lord Ogilvy to surrender his father's house, he would not. The Earls left but in July a new commission was given to the Earl of Argyle who assembled 5,000 men and proceeded to demolish Airlie Castle.
Argyle he has ta'en five hunder o'his Men,
Five hunder men and mairly,
And he's awa by yon green shaw
Come to plunder the Bonnie Hoose O' Airlie.
Cloud's o'smoke and flames sae high
Sune left the wa's but barely,
And she laid doon on that hill to dee,
When she saw the burnin' o'Airlie.
Airlie Castle was later rebuilt.
For a more in-depth history the following links are useful.
www.electricscotland.com/webclans/ntor/ogilvy2.html
www.tartans.com/clans/Ogilvie/ogilvie.html
www.angus.gov.uk/history/features/glens.htm
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