Situated between Inverness and Nairn in the Scottish Highlands, Kilravock Castle served as the ancestral seat of Clan Rose from the commencement of its construction in 1460 until its transition to the Kilravock Christian Trust in 1984. Long before the castle’s foundations were laid, however, the Rose family had established their presence on the estate, with records tracing their settlement back to 1293.
Lyon & Turnbull is honoured to present the first section of the Kilravock Castle archive for sale in June 2025 (Lots 1 - 32). Although the Lairds of Kilravock held only the title of Baron - the lowest rank in British nobility - their influence and connections were anything but modest. The archive offers a unique lens into the workings of medieval Scottish feudal society and includes signed letters from monarchs such as James V, Mary Queen of Scots, and James VI & I. It is a collection of exceptional depth, well preserved, and is rich in early documents rarely found outside institutional holdings.