James Crichton of Frendraught

James Crichton of Frendraught or Frendraucht was a Scottish landowner involved in a fire on 18 October 1630. Eight guests were killed at Frendraught Castle and arson was suspected. The facts of the case were widely disputed. Family background James Crichton of Frendraught was descended from William Crichton, 1st Lord Crichton. His parents were James Crichton of Frendraught and Janet Gordon, a daughter of Alexander Gordon of Lesmoir. His aunt, Katherine Gordon, married Alexander Burnett and lived at Crathes Castle. After he inherited, Crichton was known as the "Laird of Frendraught" or simply, "Frendraught". Frendraught Castle, now rebuilt, is about east of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He married Elizabeth Gordon, the eldest daughter of John Gordon, 13th Earl of Sutherland, at the Castle of Bog of Gight now called Gordon Castle on 25 February 1619. Married women in early modern Scotland did not change their surnames when they married, and she was known as "Elizabeth Gordon, Lady Frendraught" or "Lady Frendraught". Their eldest son, James Crichton, was created Viscount Frendraught in 1642. His descendants are the present representatives of the Clan Crichton. A second son was George Crichton of Auchingoul.