Probably the dwelling most associated with the Oliphant Clan (from the 17th Century onwards) is the house of Gask. This was the home of the staunch Jacobite branch of the Clan. Although the land was in the hands of the Oliphant Clan from the mid 14th century, no Castle of note was built there. The house of Gask became home to William Oliphant of Newton (son of Colin, Master of Oliphant, and brother to the 3rd Lord) from whom descends the Gask branch of the Clan. After him came a succession of Laurence Oliphants, who were the Lairds of Gask and chieftains of the Gask Oliphants. The house was held until Culloden, after which a volunteer party of English soldiers, under Ensign Fawlie, plundered the house. Laurence Oliphant of Gask and his son were both involved in the battle (in the Duke of Perth's Horse,) so were both forced to flee thereafter to France. After a period of time, Ebenezer Oliphant of the Gask branch, and the then Oliphant of Condie (and others,) reinstated Laurence at Gask.
Here was born Carolina Oliphant, (later known as Lady Nairn,) the famous Scottish Poetess. She was a masterful writer of poetry, including a lament for the loss of the house of Gask called "The Auld Hoose". |
