Straiton

The barony of Straiton lies in the county of Midlothian on the outskirts of Edinburgh. There are also baronies of a similar name in Ayrshire and in Fife. Nisbet states that an old family of this name, designed ‘of that Ilk’, received their lands of Straiton from David I. Alexander Straiton of that Ilk and Andrew Straiton of Craig served in the inquest on the succession of Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth to the estates of his grandfather. Thomas de Straton of the shire of Edinburgh appeared in the Ragman Roll in 1296. Alisaundre and James de Strachan also rendered homage. Alexander de Straton was a signatory to the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. Black suggests that he may be the same Alexander de Straton who is described as ‘of our blood’ in a charter to him by David II. John de Stratton ‘dominus ejusdem’ (of that Ilk) witnessed a charter of lands in 1351. Alexander Straiton of Lauriston was killed at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. The Straitons also held lands in Aberdeenshire and near Inverness. Cristina de Stratone granted a charter in 1451 in favour of the Friars Preachers in Aberdeen.