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Dunnottar Castle - Keith Stronghold
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Keiths were hereditary Great Marischals, later Earls Marischal, of Scotland from the 12th
century. Keith in Banffshire was called Ketmariscalli "Keith of the marshal" in
c.1250. In the 14th century a marriage to an heiress to the Cheynes of Ackergill founded
the Caithness branch of the clan ( now called Ceiteach in GAELIC ).
The name Keith comes from a
warrior whom Malcolm II dubbed "Marbhachair Chamuis" or Camus Slayer after the
warrior slew the Danish General Camus at the Battle of Barrie in 1010. "Marbhachair
Chamuis" later held the lands of Keth in Lothian for Malcolm II. This is the origin
of the modern name Keith.
A Keith was made Marischal of the King of Scots in 1176. The
Marischal, was custodian of the Royal regalia and was to protect the King at Parliament.
Robert the Bruce bestowed Halforest in Aberdeenshire to Robert de Keth
in 1308. Here the Keiths built their castle. Sir Robert's nephew was the one to return the
Bruce's heart to Melrose abbey after the Douglas's death at the hands of the Moors in
Spain. The Bruce also made the office of Marischall hereditary to the Keiths in 1324 in
recognition of Sir Robert de Keth, Calvary commander at the Battle of Bannockburn.
The 3rd Lord Keith was raised to Earl Marischal in 1458. During the
reformation the 7th Earl was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London until the
restoration. The King then appointed him Privy Councilor and later Lord Privy Seal as
reward for his services in the Royal cause. The Earl Marischal had hidden the Honours of
Scotland (Scottish crown jewels) on Keith lands for safekeeping.
The Keith family supported the Jacobite cause during the 1715 and '45
uprisings and for their part forfeited their lands.
The 14th Earl resides on the Keith Hall estate in Aberdeenshire.
