Sir James Ramsay of Whitehill,1st Baronet
Sir James? This fine portrait has pride of place in the collection. Long thought to represent his son, the personable Sir John, it clearly shows…
Read more...3. The Quest for Solvency
Scottish landowners were constantly seeking ways of improving their finances- they kept away from their creditors, looked for rich wives, sent their boys to Jesuit schools on the Continent, travelled to Holland to trade, opened mines and saltpans, and worked as agents for neighbours and relations. The Ramsays did all this, but were as cash-strapped as anyone in the 18th century.
Sir John Ramsay, 2nd Baronet
Sir John Ramsay was born 26 Feb 1645. While he may have studied law, he was employed in various capacities, generally as agent for the…
Read more...Admission to the office of Advocate
Sir Andrew’s letter of admission to the office of Advocate in 1704 has been preserved among the family papers. His portrait was commissioned later, possibly…
Read more...Elizabeth Learmonth
Elizabeth Learmonth was the only child of Thomas Leirmonth (the spelling varies), a wealthy advocate in Edinburgh. She was married to Andrew Ramsay in April…
Read more...John Ramsay, Bart. (the last baronet)
A quick recap of the four John Ramsays who feature in this record. 1. Sir John Ramsay of Whitehill, 1st Baronet, brother of Isobel Drummond 2….
Read more...Mrs Calderwood of Polton
Margaret CALDERWOOD (1715–1774), was a granddaughter of Sir James Steuart of Coltness, bart., sometime solicitor-general for Scotland. She married Thomas Calderwood of Polton in 1735….
Read more...The Ramsay wardrobe
Nothing attests so firmly to the importance of appearance in the 18th century as the coats that the men wore! The Ramsay men were dark…
Read more...The Ramsay holster
Edinburgh citizens needed to watch out, not only for creditors, but for footpads, highwaymen — and Jacobites. So, it made sense to keep a pistol…
Read more...Keeping elegant time
This clock was in the National Trust’s Georgian House, in the main bedroom for many years. Visitors to Edinburgh would come and visit it, in…
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