Scottish Clan Book - Johnstone

Also in the equally popular spelling form of ‘Johnston’, the Johnstone name resonates throughout the pages of the frequently turbulent drama that is Scotland’s story.

The largest group of Johnstones are to be found near the English border in Dumfriesshire, in the southwest, but they are also to be found in significant numbers much further northeast, in Aberdeenshire – but no matter where they hail from, Johnstones are considered to be members of the same clan.

But it is with the Borders that they are particularly associated and where, along with other clans and families such as the Maxwells, they led dangerous lives as reivers, or raiders, feuding with their neighbours.

Despite their lawless ways, however, they later gained high honours and distinction, with James Johnstone, son of Sir James Johnstone of Dunskellie, being created Lord Johnstone of Lochwood in 1633.

Presented here are the stirring and colourful lives and times of the Johnstones.