| Administrative History | Alexander Fraser of Philorth was born around 1537, the grandson of the 7th Laird whom he succeeded in 1569. His grandfather had carried out many improvements to the lands of Philorth before Alexander built a port at Faithlie which had been raised to a burgh of barony: Alexander was granted the town of Faithlie by James VI, and transformed the towns into Port of Fraser (later Fraserburgh). To crown his achievements there, he founded a university in 1600, much to the disgust of the universities in nearby Aberdeen. Because of its principal’s political problems, however, it was destined to last only till 1605, though the buildings survived until the eighteenth century. He built Fraserburgh Castle, later deserted by his family because of its exposed position, and a church, but though the town did well, he later had severe financial problems because of these schemes. He was knighted in 1594. He was predeceased by both his wives, and died in 1623. |