John Grant of Freuchie (died 1585) was a Scottish landowner.
Career He was a son of James Grant of Freuchie (died 1553), and Elizabeth Forbes, a daughter of John Forbes, 6th Lord Forbes, or Christina Barclay.
His home was Freuchie, sometimes called Ballachastel, and now known as Castle Grant. He became the laird in 1553.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 126. John Grant fought at the battle of Glasgow in 1544.Scots Peerage, 7 (Edinburgh, 1910), p. 461. He is said to have jousted with Hugh Fraser, Lord Lovat, at Inverness Castle and lost.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 145: William Mackay, Fraser Chronicles (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 165.
Mary, Queen of Scots came to the north of Scotland on progress. The Earl of Huntly and the Gordon family were defeated at the battle of Corrichie. On 4 November, Mary ordered John Grant to take Drumin Castle, and he took possession on 3 December 1562.Scots Peerage, 7 (Edinburgh, 1910), p. 462.
As Laird of Grant or Freuchie, his estates included Urquhart and Glenmoriston, from which he was obliged to pay a "feu-duty" which contributed to the household and food expenses of Mary, Queen of Scots.Michael Pearce, "Account of George Wishart of Drymme", Miscellany of the Scottish History Society, XVII (Edinburgh: SHS, 2025), p. 11. In 1569, Regent Moray asked Grant to pay the money to William Douglas as a contribution to costs of keeping the deposed queen at Lochleven Castle.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). pp. 127, 145.
He died in 1585 and was buried at Duthil Old Parish Church and Churchyard.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). p. 152 and plate.
Marriages and children He married Margaret Stewart (died 1555), a daughter of John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Atholl. His second wife was Janet Leslie (died 1591), a daughter of George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes. His children included: Duncan Grant (1566–1582),James Clark, Genealogical collections concerning families in Scotland by Walter Macfarlane (Edinburgh: SHS, 1900), p. 111. his eldest son by Margaret Stewart, who died in his lifetime. Duncan married Margaret Mackintosh. Their son, John Grant, became Laird of Freuchie.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. 153-5. Patrick Grant of Rothiemurchus, to whom he passed the Muckrach estate Elizabeth, Elspeth, or Isobel. She was betrothed to William Fraser of Stowie, married and divorced John Leslie of Balquhain,Scots Peerage, 7 (Edinburgh, 1910), p. 463. and married William Cuming of Inverallochy Grissel Grant, who married Patrick Grant, younger of Ballindalloch Margaret Grant, who married Alexander Gordon of Beldornie Katherine Grant Marjory Grant Barbara Grant, betrothed to Robert Munro, younger of Fowlis, married Colin Mackenzie of Kintail Helen Grant, betrothed to Donald McAngus McAlester younger of Glengarry.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883), pp. 153-4.
After his death on 3 June 1585, his widow Janet Leslie was required to surrender various items to John Grant, his grandson. These included a chain of gold, gold bracelets, a cloak of French black with velvet facings, a black satin doublet, a pair of silk breeches, and a gilt clock.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883). pp. 150-1. Janet Leslie later married James Elphinstone, a son of Alexander Elphinstone, 2nd Lord Elphinstone. She was known as Janet Leslie, Lady Naughton from her first marriage.William Fraser, The chiefs of Grant: Memoirs, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1883), p. 153.
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