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The Halketts of Pitfirrane

The family of Halkett of Pitfirrane was associated with the estates of that name near Dunfermline, Fife, from the beginning of the 14th century. Few written records exist; though family tradition would put the beginning of that association at least as far back as the 13th century. . Certainly that is correct in the female line.

No complete account of the family exists, although a genealogical account prepared by the family was in existence at Pitfirrane, and seems to have been used as late as 1899 when the Scottish History Society published “The Scots Brigade in Holland.” It has now disappeared, probably at the sale of the library after the death of Miss Madeline Halkett, the last of the family. There are accounts in the Douglas Baronage, and in Chalmer’s “Dunfermline,” both lacking accurate detail of the early period. This article attempts to provide the early history of the family in connection with Pitfirrane. Their history after 1705 is amply supplied from the genealogical point of view by the “The Book of the Wedderburns” from which the latter material here is taken.

The mansion house and grounds were purchased by the Carnegie Trust, and was leased to Dunfermline Golf Club, which now uses the house as their clubhouse. It is gratifying to know that every effort is made to preserve this house, of which the central portion may date back to the early 16th century. The main portion was built at the end of that century and contains a wealth of oak carvings reminiscent of the “Stirling Head.” The main spiral staircase had some fine linen-fold paneling. Remaining are fine Dutch stained glass windows.

This is not a record of a family which played an outstanding part in the history of Scotland, but one which is representative of a relatively large class of lairds or barons, whose interests were with their estates and local government, and to preserve what they had acquired in those difficult times.

The Halketts were of sufficient good standing to intermarry with the lesser nobility, and whose own daughters married into the ranks of lesser lairds and merchants around Dunfermline. Younger sons entered the army in Holland, or became merchants in Dunfermline, Dysart and Kirkcaldy. Nevertheless, they did from time to time play their part on the stage of history – either as boon companions to their kings or as the cavalry leaders against them. Many gave their lives in the defense of their country against her enemies.

While the name Halkett remained at Pitfirrane till 1951, when the connection ended with the death of Miss Madeline Halkett, the original male line ended in 1705. With the death in that year of Sir James Halkett, Peter Wedderburn of Gosford assumed the estates and name by virtue of his marriage to Janet, elder sister of Sir James. Again in 1799 another Wedderburn of Gosford likewise assumed the name.

The lands of Pitfirrane are first mentioned in a transcript of a charter of the reign of William the Lion, perhaps between 1200 and 1214 confirming the grant of a third of Pitfirrane to Sir David of Lochore by Sir William of Lochore (18) . In the same century there is a reference to another third by Scott of Balwearie (3) while the Abbey of Dunfermline held the remaining third, having been gifted to it in 1360 by Margaret, wife of Sir Robert de Meyngers (Dunf. Chart. 268/9). The lands were still in the hands of the same families at the end of the 14th century when the Halketts appear with any certainty.

Where the Halketts originated is not known. They may have taken their name originally from the lands of Halkett in Cunningham, but any connection with that area seems to have been lost if it ever existed. The first recorded mention is a ROBERT HALKETT, Collector of the thirds of benefices in Fife in 1360 (Exch. Rolls II 36) and a Sheriff of Kinross by charter of Robert II on 9th March 1372/3 (Rob. Index P 98 No.330). There is no indication of the identity of Robert, but he was presumably a prominent landholder in Kinross, for shortly after we find PHILIP HALKETT, Lord of Balnagel or Ballingall to the west of Kinross, who may well be the son of Robert. This Philip is also designated Lord of Lumphanan now Lumphinnans, a part of Cowdenbeath, in a brieve of perambulation in July 1393 (8). Seven years later he is granted a charter by William Scott of Balwearie of a third of Pitfirrane, along with other lands in Muthil and Caputh, which, however, do not recur and must have been resigned soon after. (5).

From a deposition by a Dunfermline burgess in 1435 (21) it appears that Philip’s mother was a sister of Constantine of Lochore, from whom he already held the other third. (This family of Lochore was that of a Vallance who appear there in the 14th century). The same deposition reveals that there were already domestic buildings at Pitfirrane on the third held from Lochore.

In addition Philip acquired, in about 1400, half of the neighboring barony of Pitconnochie from Sir John Wemyss of Rires, though later this has been reduced to a sixth. (12b). Philip died after 1415 but before 1432, in which year his son DAVID HALKETT as laird of Pitfirrane has a dispute over boundaries with the abbot of Dunfermline. (23). David had already in 1404 been seized of Ballingall and the office of Coroner of the Waters by Robert Stewart, Sheriff Deputy of Kinross (11) and was definitely the son of Philip on the evidence of the above deposition. Chalmers appears to think that the relationship was reversed but this is incorrect.

Philip had at least one other son, the Robert Halkett who surrenders to David a tenement in Newburgh in 1422. (15). At this time too there is some indication of holdings in Perth. This Robert might be the Robert Halkett who holds tenement in Stirling and has the gift of fermes of the Mint there (Stirling Burgh Records. Exch. Rolls V 132).

For a time David held the lands of Cluny to the north of Pitfirrane but this was in possession of the Wemys of Pittencrieff by 1466. (30). He also held the wardship of the templeland of Lochore, as the male line of the family of Vallance appears to have died out at this time. David is later seen to hold the third of Pitfirrane from the Kinninmonths of Craighall, and Lumphinnans from the Wardlaws of Torrie as well as possession of part the old Lochore lands. (45).

No evidence is available as to the date of his death, but he was alive in 1441 (30) and may have also survived a further 10 years. Nimmo in his “History of Stirlingshire” (1817) (Note A.A.P. 679) relates that the laird of Halkett fought a tournament along with the two Douglasses against two Burgundian knights and a squire, and that he was knighted on the occasion. This was in 1449 but whether this refers to David or his son James cannot be proved.

By 1472, however, David has been succeeded at Pitfirrane by WILLIAM HALKETT. This William was infefied in 1446 in the lands of Auchtertyre and Balcraig in the Sheriffdom of Forfar, which had been held by his father James. As theses lands remain in the family for over a century, it is proof that this is the same William. Chalmers, quoting family tradition, states that James was the oldest son of David who died in his father’s lifetime, but was certainly alive in 1451, when he witnessed a charter. He married a daughter of Sir John Boswell of Balmuto, according to the Douglas Peerage.

Dr. Stephen in his “History of Inverkeitning and Rosyth” states that William Halkett married Jane Fenton, co-heiress of Walter Fenton of Baike in Angus. Janet was his 2nd daughter and was the widow of Robert Stewart, 2nd son of Sir David Stewart of Rosyth, and was said by her own position to have been kept under conditions of extreme severity until she assigned her lands to the Stewarts. This William Halkett, however was not Halkett of Pitfirrane but a 2nd son of David Scot (

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