Craufurd Tait

Crauford Tait WS (8 April 1766 – 2 May 1832) was a 17th/18th century Scottish lawyer, improver and landowner and also a contemporary and friend of Robert Burns.

Early life

Tait was born in Blairlogie in central Scotland on 8 April 1766. He was the son of John Tait, WS of Harviestoun, and his wife Charlotte Murdoch. His father was a lawyer in Edinburgh's New Town from its first construction around 1770.

His father purchased the Harvieston estate just east of Tillicoultry in 1780 and, in 1787, the house was twice visited by Robert Burns during which time he befriended Burns. During the summer visit they took a trip to the Cauldron Linn on the River Devon near Rumbling Bridge which trip Burns described as one of the best days of his life.

Career He inherited the Harvieston estate in 1800 on the death of his father. He retained a substantial townhouse at 2 Park Place in Edinburgh which enabled his children to be educated there.

In 1804, he employed John Paterson to rebuild Harviestoun in the Adam style. In 1805 he purchased Dollar Glen and Castle Campbell, from his wife's uncle, consolidating the castle and leaving it as a romantic ruin as was the fashion of the day (Castle Campbell was visible from Harvieston).

Personal life

On 17 June 1795, Tait married Susan Campbell (1775–1814), daughter of Ilay Campbell, Lord Succoth, and Susan Mary Murray (a daughter of Archibald Murray of Murrayfield and sister of Alexander Murray, Lord Henderland). Together, they were the parents of ten children, including:

John Tait (1796–1877), who married his first cousin, Mary Amelia Sitwell, daughter of Francis Sitwell, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed (brother of Sir Sitwell Sitwell, 1st Baronet), and Ann Campbell (a daughter of Lord Succoth), in 1824. Susan Murray Tait (1798–1880), who married Sir George Sitwell, 2nd Baronet, only son of Sir Sitwell Sitwell, 1st Baronet and Alice Parke, in 1818. Charlotte Tait (1800–1888), who married, as his second wife, Sir Charles Wake, 10th Baronet, son of Sir William Wake, 9th Baronet and Mary Sitwell (sister of Sir Sitwell Sitwell, 1st Baronet), in 1822. Sir Charles' first wife was Mary Alice Sitwell (a daughter of Sir Sitwell Sitwell, 1st Baronet and Alice Parke).

Tait died on 2 May 1832 and was buried in the family burial enclosure: "Tait's Tomb" south-east of Harvieston House. Harvieston House was demolished in 1971 to avoid rates.