This page explores the distinct Guthrie of Colliston branch in Angus (historic Forfarshire), Scotland. It begins with the documented tenancy of Henry Guthrie of Ruffys (Ruives) and Park of Conan under Arbroath Abbey and focuses exclusively on the Colliston line established by his son John Guthrie, 1st of Colliston, and wife Isobel Ogilvy via the 1544 feu charter.

This branch is now treated as separate from the Guthrie of Eassie/Hiltoun line (which has its own independent parentage and succession evidence via David of Esse). Historical sources occasionally conflated the two contemporary John Guthries due to geographic proximity and shared Ogilvy marriages, but primary abbey records (1528 appointment, 1554 retour, 1578 renewal) create a clear, unbroken Colliston pedigree starting with Henry → John. The family held Colliston for approximately 140 years (1544–c.1684), leaving architectural evidence (castle panels) and a rich documentary trail.

Colliston: Place and Pre-Guthrie Context

Colliston lies about 6 km north of Arbroath. It was part of the extensive lands of Arbroath Abbey (founded 1178 by William the Lion). The Guthries first appear as tenants and officers on abbey lands (Ruives/Ruffys and Park of Conan) in 1528—well before the 1544 feu grant—establishing their roots in the area.

Colliston Castle is a 16th-century Z-plan tower house with round angle towers. The core dates to the Guthrie period, with documented expansions in 1583 and 1621. Later 18th–19th-century additions created the present laird’s house (still standing and used for events/holiday rentals).

Panel 1: Close-up of the 1583 turret panel that includes Guthrie Arms, Falconer Arms, Initials, Date & Motto.
The initials represent I.G. for Isobel (Ogilvy) Guthrie / J.G. for John Guthrie, J.G. for John Guthrie and M.F. for Margaret Falconer. The date listed is 1583. The Motto “Laus Deo” means “Praise God”.

Panel 2: Close-up of the 1621 panel featuring James VI Royal Arms, Date: 1621. The initials H.G. and IL. likely Henry Guthrie and his wife.

Key Colliston Documents and References

The table below lists primary or near-contemporary records tied exclusively to the Colliston branch (no Eassie/Hiltoun associations). Sources include Arbroath Abbey records, retours, protocol books of Arbroath, castle inscriptions, and retours in the Register of the Great Seal / Brechin commissariot.

Generation-by-Generation Pedigree of Guthrie of Colliston

Generation 1: Henry Guthrie of Ruffys (Ruives) and Park of Conan (fl. 1528)

• Key role: Lifelong tenant and abbey officer on Arbroath Abbey lands (precisely the holdings later feued as Colliston). No wife is named in surviving records.

• Known children: John (eldest son, 1st of Colliston).

• Associated documents:
  • 8 June 1528: Cardinal David Beaton (Abbot of Arbroath) appoints Henry and his eldest son John, “then tenants of Ruffys and the Park of Conan,” to the heritable offices of mairs, coroners, notaries, and clerks of court for life (with power to appoint substitutes). Renewed explicitly in 1578 for the next generation. This is the foundational record establishing the family’s pre-feu presence.

• Context and implications: Demonstrates established tenancy and royal/church favor under Beaton well before the 1544 feu grant. No earlier origins for Henry are documented here, but he may link to other Angus Guthries (research avenue: pre-1528 abbey rentals).

Generation 2: John Guthrie, 1st of Colliston (d. by June 1554)

• Spouse: Isobel Ogilvy (variants: Ogilvie, Ogilby) – named jointly in the 1544 charter; speculated (unproven) daughter or close kinswoman of Cardinal Beaton and Marion Ogilvy.

• Known children: Henry (heir, 2nd of Colliston); James (mentioned in later reversions and protocol books).

• Associated documents:
  • 25 July 1544: Ornate feu charter by Cardinal Beaton granting Colliston, Ruives, Park of Conon, and Guthrie Hill to John and Isobel (subscribed by Beaton and ~20 monks).
  • 8 November 1544: Notarial receipt by David Fethe of Skethin to John Guthre of Collistoun (on behalf of Janet Ogilvy) for writs of Skethin (Notary: William Guthre).
  • 27 June 1554: Special retour – Henry Guthre retoured heir to his father John Guthre of Collistoun (Cukistoun lands in lordship of Brechin).

Context: John was already on the lands by the early 1540s. The grant reflects Beaton’s patronage; the 1554 retour confirms direct succession.

Generation 3: Henry Guthrie, 2nd of Colliston (fl. 1554–1570S; d. by ~1582)

• Spouse: Unidentified in records.

• Known children: John (heir, 3rd of Colliston); David (“Mr. Da Guthrie,” brother german to John in 1583 sasine); possibly James (links to Balnabreich).

• Associated documents:
  • 27 June 1554: Retour as heir (above).
  • 1568–69: Designed “of Colliston” in Register of the Privy Seal / Episcopal Registers.
  • 1570: Letters of reversion by Henry of Collistoun to James Guthre (burgess of Edinburgh, portioner of Balnabreich) and spouse.
  • 1575–78: Multiple Arbroath protocol-book sasines involving Henry, his son John, and Isobel Ogilvy (mother) in Colliston/Guthriehill transfers.
  • 1582: Testament dative and inventory (Edinburgh Commissary Court).

• Context: Consolidated the feu; involved in local wadsets and reversions. Protocol books show family activity in Arbroath burgh properties.

Generation 4: John Guthrie, 3rd of Colliston (fl. 1578–1590s; d. by 13 June 1594)

• Spouse: Marion (M.) Falconer (m. by 1583; witnesses in protocol books include her brothers Alex and Pa Falconer).
• Known children: Henry (Harie/H.G., 4th of Colliston); James (“Ja Guthrie brother german to John” – appears as witness/nominee in 1589–90 sasines); possibly others.
• Associated documents:
  • 1578: Charter by John, Commendator of Arbroath, renewing abbey offices of mair/coroner (and Mair land, Carny) to John as son and heir apparent of Henry.
  • 1583: Turret panel at Colliston Castle – Guthrie arms (I.G./J.G.) with Falconer arms (M.F.), date 1583, motto “LAUS DEO.”
  • 1589–1595: Numerous Arbroath protocol-book sasines/resignations by John and Marg. Falconer (Ruffis/Ruives lands, Guthrishill, Park of Conon transfers; witnesses include Falconer kin and “Ja Guthrie brother german”).
  • 13 June 1594: Entry/sasine as son and heir to umqll Henry Guthrie of Colliston (tenement on Rottonraw).

Context: Major builder/expander of the castle; active in local land management. Falconer marriage ties to prominent Angus families.

Generation 5: Henry (Harie/H.G.) Guthrie, 4th of Colliston (fl. 1621; d. after 1649?)

• Spouse: Jean (I.L.) Lindsay (m. by 1621).

• Known children: John (fiar/heir apparent); Alexander (mentioned in some retours).

• Associated documents:
  • 1621: Castle panel with royal arms of James VI, initials H.G./I.L., date 1621, motto “LAUS DEO.”
  • 14 August 1649: Instrument of sasine (Milntoun of Conan) witnessed by Harie Guthrie of Colliston and John Guthrie, fiar thereof.
  • 1656 (related to next gen): Discharge references tocher of Jean Lindsay (daughter of Laurence Lindsay of Dowhill).

• Context: Continued castle improvements; local witness in sasines. John (fiar) appears as “apparent of Collistoun” but did not succeed as laird (grandson inherited).

Generation 6: John Guthrie of Colliston (fl. mid-1600s; d. before 1684)

• Spouse: Unidentified (or possibly linked to Lindsay line via tocher records).

• Known children: Henry ‘Harie’ Guthrie (5th of Colliston / later Knight Baronet).

• Associated documents:
  • 1656: Discharge by Mr. Johne Guthrie, fiar of Collistoun (tocher obligation for Jean Lindsay).
  • 13 February 1665: Charter of confirmation to Sir Henry Guthrie of Coliestoun (referencing earlier matrimonial contract involving John as apparent/father).

• Context: Transitional figure; appears in contracts tying to the next generation’s marriages and the eventual baronetcy.

Generation 7: Henry ‘Harie’ Guthrie of Colliston
(fl. mid-late 1600s; d. before 5 Nov 1684)

• Spouses: m1. Jean Lindsay (contract 21 May 1656; dau. of John Lindsay of Dowhill; tocher discharge 1656); m2. Margaret Levingstoun / Livingston (m. 12 June 1660).

• Known children: Sir Henry Guthrie (Knight Baronet; heir).

• Associated documents:
  • 21 May 1656 / 8 Dec 1656: Matrimonial contract and discharge for Jean Lindsay tocher.
  • 21 Feb 1662: Charter to Henry Guthrie of Collistoun and Margaret Livingstoun (lands of Skraesburgh/Hunthill).
  • 13 Feb 1665: Charter of confirmation (as above).

• Context: Multiple marriages reflect strategic alliances; involved in apprised lands and barony confirmations.

Generation 8: Sir Henry Guthrie, Knight Baronet of King Edward (and Colliston) (c.1655–c.1693)

• Spouses: m1. Barbara Urquhart (m. by 27 Jan 1672; dau. of Sir Alexander Urquhart; daughters Christian, Margaret; possible son Henry d. 1687); m2. Jonet Wallace (son: John, later Baronet).
• Known children: As above; line continues through m2.
• Associated documents:
  • 27 Jan 1672: Royal charter (Charles II) to Sir Henry and Barbara Urquhart for lands of Fisherie, mill of King Edward, etc. (Aberdeenshire shift).
  • 5 November 1684: Retour – Sir Henry Guthrie of King Edward, Knight, heir to Henry Guthrie of Colliston in Colliston, Ruives, Park of Conon, and Guthrie Hill.
  • c.1684–85: Sale of Colliston to Dr. Gordon (“good house”).

• Context: Acquired baronetcy and Aberdeenshire estates; final Guthrie laird of Colliston. Greyfriars burial records note a son’s interment.

Generation 9: Sir John Guthrie, Baronet of King Edward (fl. late 1600s–early 1700s)

• Spouses: m1. Mary Forbes (son: Alexander Guthrie, Baronet of Fairfield & Ludquharn; daughters Mary, Christian, Jean, Catherine); m2. Agnes Robertson (son: Charles; five daughters).
• Known children: As above.
• Associated documents: Later retours, baronetcy records, and Forbes/Robertson marriage contracts (Aberdeenshire focus post-sale).
• Context: The Colliston designation fades after 1685, but the King Edward/Fairfield/Ludquharn baronet line preserves the pedigree. Cadet branches may exist.

Timeline of Colliston (Guthrie Era)

• Pre-1544: Abbey tenancy; 1528 offices granted to Henry & John.
• 1544–1554: Feu grant and first succession.
• 1570s–1580s: Office renewals, wadsets, 1583 castle work.
• Early 1600s: 1621 alterations.
• Mid-1600s: Witnesses in local sasines; continued local influence.
• 1684: Final retour and sale.
• Post-1684: To Gordons (1684–85), then Chaplins (1721), later Peebles/Bruce families. Castle survives today.

Isobel Ogilvy: Speculated Parentage

Isobel (variants: Ogilvie, Ogilby) is named only in the 1544 charter. The persistent theory (noted in local histories and WikiTree) links her as a daughter of Cardinal David Beaton and his long-term partner Marion Ogilvy (of Airlie). Motivations for the grant may include abbey loyalty or possible kinship. This remains speculative—no contemporary document proves exact parentage—but it fits the timing and Beaton’s documented family. Alternative views place her in another Ogilvy branch (e.g., Inverquharity connections common in Angus marriages). DNA or further charters could clarify.

Post-Guthrie Ownership and Broader Implications

Colliston passed out of Guthrie hands c.1684–85. The family’s 140-year tenure left lasting physical (castle carvings) and archival traces. This branch illustrates how abbey feus provided stability pre-Reformation. Genealogical implications include potential Y-DNA links for modern descendants and cadet lines (e.g., via the King Edward Baronets). Research avenues: full 1544 charter transcript, NRS bundles (GD45, Brechin protocol books), or targeted DNA testing.

Primary Sources (Archival and Original Records)

National Records of Scotland (NRS) and Related Archival Collections

• National Records of Scotland. Papers of the Ramsay Family, Earls of Dalhousie. Titles to Land. GD45/16/744 and GD45/16/614 (1544 notarial receipt and related Colliston writs).
• National Records of Scotland. Extract special retour in favour of Henry Guthre as heir to his father John Guthre of Collistoun, 27 June 1554 (Cukistoun lands in the lordship of Brechin). GD30/275.
• National Records of Scotland. Protocol Books of the Town Clerks of Arbroath: – Minute Book of David Lyell (town clerk), NRS B4/1/1 (1575–1578 sasines, office renewals, and land transfers involving Henry and John Guthrie of Collistoun). – Minute Book of Mr Alexander Pearson (town clerk), NRS B4/1/2 (1589–1595 sasines, resignations, and reversions by John Guthrie of Collistoun and spouse Marion Falconer; witnesses include James Guthrie, brother german).
• National Records of Scotland. Register of the Great Seal of Scotland (Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum / RMS), various volumes (charters of confirmation 1662, 1665, and related Colliston/King Edward lands).
• National Records of Scotland. Retour of Sir Henry Guthrie of King Edward, Knight, as heir to Henry Guthrie of Colliston, 5 November 1684 (Colliston, Ruives, Park of Conon, and Guthrie Hill).
• Arbroath Abbey Muniments (via Cardinal David Beaton): – Appointment of Henry Guthrie and eldest son John Guthrie as lifelong mairs, coroners, and clerks of court, 8 June 1528 (tenants of Ruffys/Ruives and Park of Conan). – Feu charter to John Guthrie and Isobel Ogilvy, his spouse, of Colliston, Ruives, Park of Conon, and Guthrie Hill, 25 July 1544 (ornate charter subscribed by Beaton and approximately 20 monks).
• Edinburgh Commissary Court. Testament dative and inventory of Henry Guthrie of Collistoun, 1582.
• Colliston Castle carved inscriptions (1583 turret panel and 1621 panel): documented in situ and in Historic Environment Scotland records (see Secondary below).
• Instrument of sasine (Milntoun of Conan), August 1649, witnessed by Harie Guthrie of Colliston and John Guthrie, fiar thereof.
• Matrimonial contracts and discharges: Jean Lindsay tocher (21 May / 8 December 1656); Henry Guthrie and Margaret Levingstoun (21 February 1662); confirmation charter (13 February 1665).

Secondary Sources (Published Works and Compilations)

• Miller, David. Arbroath and its Abbey; or, The Early History of the Town and Abbey of Aberbrothock, Including Notices of Ecclesiastical and Other Antiquities in the Surrounding District. Edinburgh: T.G. Stevenson, 1860. 294 pp. Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/arbroathitsabbey00milliala. (Primary source for the 1528 Beaton appointment, pp. 181, 219; also transcribes abbey charters and offices.)
• Warden, Alex. J. Angus or Forfarshire, the Land and People, Descriptive and Historical. 5 vols. Dundee: Charles Alexander & Co., 1880–1885. Vol. 5, pp. 124–127 (Colliston lands, Guthrie succession, and baronetcy notes). Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/angusorforfarshi05ward (full volume).
• Historic Environment Scotland / Canmore National Record of the Historic Environment. “Colliston Castle.” LB4740 (Listed Building) and associated HER entries. Accessed via https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/ and https://www.trove.scot/place/35474. (Documents 1583 and 1621 carved panels, Z-plan architecture, and later alterations.)
• WikiTree: The Guthries of Colliston (collaborative genealogy space page). Compiled by multiple contributors using primary NRS sources (GD45, B4/1/1, B4/1/2, retours, protocol books). Last updated references as of 2025. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Guthries_of_Colliston. (Comprehensive extraction of Colliston-specific charters, sasines, and successions; serves as a key finding aid.)
• The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland (Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum), A.D. 1306–1668. Edited by various scholars under the authority of the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury. 11 vols. Edinburgh: General Register House, 1882–1914. (Multiple charters confirming Colliston and later King Edward holdings; HathiTrust digital editions available.)
• Protocol Books of the Town Clerks of Arbroath (finding aids). Transcribed excerpts and party indexes available via https://www.ancestor.abel.co.uk/Angus/B4_1_1.html and https://www.ancestor.abel.co.uk/Angus/B4_1_2.html(NRS B4/1/1 and B4/1/2).

Additional notes for blog readers / researchers:

• Many original charters and retours are held at the National Records of Scotland (General Register House, Edinburgh). Digital images or extracts may be ordered via the NRS catalogue.
• The 1583 and 1621 castle panels remain in situ and are the best surviving physical primary evidence of the 3rd and 4th generations.
• WikiTree’s Colliston space page is the single most detailed modern compilation of the above primary sources and is continuously cross-checked against NRS references.
• No complete published pedigree of the full Colliston line exists beyond Warden (vol. 5); this article synthesizes the archival trail for the first time in one place.