Wardlaw Mausoleum
United Kingdom
Built originally on the end of the Parish Church in 1634, Wardlaw Mausoleum was the family burial place for the Lovat Frasers. Notable amongst the dignitaries in the crypt here is the coffin, reputedly of Simon, Lord Lovat, the Old Fox, (grandfather of Jamie Fraser of “Outlander” fame.) A recent controversy concerning the validity of the remains, reveals doubt. A forensic investigation, by Dame Sue Black, apparently reveals that the remains, which are most intact, appear to be those of a headless woman of around 30 years of age. Simon, along with two other rebel Earls, Lord Balmerino and Lord Kilmarnock were executed on Tower Hill in London. The authorities there claim that all three were buried in the wall of the Tower. The custodian of Wardlaw is seeking permission for these remains to be exhumed. Follow this on the Wardlaw website. This is a privileged visit and requires respect and decorum to be afforded to the Fraser family and the custodians of the Mausoleum.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Wardlaw Mausoleum, a site of immense historical intrigue nestled in the quiet parish of Kirkhill. As we stand here, we are at the ancestral heart of Clan Fraser of Lovat, a family whose name is synonymous with the…
Listen in the app2The Ancient Foundations: Wardlaw Parish Church
To truly appreciate the Wardlaw Mausoleum, one must first look at the ground upon which it stands. Beneath the seventeenth-century stones lie the remains of the Wardlaw Parish Church, a structure founded in twelve twenty-one. …
Listen in the app3Simon 'the Fox' and the 1722 Remodeling
The figure who most profoundly influenced the appearance and reputation of Wardlaw was Simon Fraser, the eleventh Lord Lovat, one of the most enigmatic and resilient characters in Scottish history. In seventeen twenty-two, when…
Listen in the app4The Trial and Execution of the Last Jacobite Lord
The story of Simon Fraser reached its dramatic and bloody conclusion in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. Despite his attempts to hedge his bets by sending his son out with the clan while remaining at home himself, Simon…
Listen in the app5The Crypt Mystery and the Headless Body
The legend of Lord Lovat’s secret return to Wardlaw was put to a scholarly and scientific test in the late twentieth century. For generations, visitors to the crypt pointed to a specific lead-lined coffin, believed to contain the…
Listen in the app6The Witch Trials and the 'Witch Project'
Wardlaw's history is not limited to the grand narratives of clan chiefs and Jacobite rebellions; it also touches upon the darker aspects of social and religious history, specifically the period of the witch trials. In the…
Listen in the app7The Outlander Connection and Modern Legacy
In recent years, the Wardlaw Mausoleum has seen a significant resurgence in interest, largely due to its prominent role in Diana Gabaldon’s 'Outlander' series. In the fictional narrative, Jamie Fraser is the grandson of the…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we stand for a final moment in the shadow of the Wardlaw Mausoleum, we are struck by the sheer density of human experience concentrated in this small plot of Highland earth. We have explored the ancient foundations of the…
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What is Wardlaw Mausoleum?
Wardlaw Mausoleum is a place in United Kingdom with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 57.4782, -4.4205 |
| Last updated |