The Scottish Peerage

George Falconer's second son David inherited Halkerton, who died in 1544. His son Alexander married, in 1543, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie [her grandfather Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus was High Chancellor and known as Archibald Bell-the-Cat.] Their eldest son, Alexander inherited Halkerton. His eldest son was Sir Alexander Falconer (7th of Halkerton). His eldest son was Sir Alexander Falconer 8th of Halkerton, a Lord of Session with the Judicial Title of Lord Halkerton, was raised to the Peerage as Lord Falconer of Halkerton in 1647. His grandson David 3rd Lord of Halkerton died in 1724 without issue. The Peerage then passed to the first Lord Falconer’s younger brother David Falconer’s family line, with the peerage becoming dormant in 1966 following the death of Lord Inverurie, 10th Earl of Kintore, and 13th Lord Falconer of Halkerton. The male line then reverts back to the first Lord Falconer’s next younger brother Sir John Falconer of Tulloch, later of Balmakellie.

The Ogilvy Connection

Sir John Falconer of Balmakellie was twice married. His first wife, by whom he had one child, was Sibil sister of Sir John Ogilvy 10th. of Inverquharity and daughter of James Ogilvy, younger son of Sir John Ogilvy, 8th. of Inverquharity; she died in 1634. His second wife was Esther Briot (whose father was a fellow master of the Mint, see below). Their eldest son John Falconer of Balmakellie, the Younger, is said to have married (as his first wife) in 1665 Catharine Ogilvy of Lumgair, the daughter of William Ogilvy of Balnagarrow and, later, of Lumgair, Sibil’s brother (Sir John's first wife); and therefore his cousin. (She inherited a life-interest in the lands of Lumgair from her father on his death in 1659). William Ogilvy of Lumgair also had a son, George Ogilvy, who was granted the lands and barony of Barras from William, 6th. Earl Marischal, his kinsman.

Trickery at Dunnotar Castle

George was appointed Governor of Dunnotar Castle by William, 7th. Earl Marischal, and defended the Castle successfully against Parliamentary attack in 1651, and again in 1652. In 1650 King Charles II stayed at the Castle and "The Honours of Scotland" - the Crown, the sword and the sceptre were deposited there for safe keeping. Later they were removed secretly by Mrs. Graham, wife of the Parish Minister of Kinneff, and were buried under the flagstones of the Parish Church, where they remained until the Restoration. George Ogilvy of Barras was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by the King on his Restoration, for his services in safeguarding the Regalia.