This collection contains the call numbers X.c.61 (1-194).

The main interest lies in the correspondence, which, in common with most family correspondence of the period, is largely taken up with financial matters. The incursions of the English armies in the middle of the 17th century caused considerable damage to property, especially in the neighborhood of Perth. Some people - such as Lord Spynie - found themselves on the wrong side politically, and so got into difficulties. Others like Lord Kinghorne inherited dilapidated estates, and dedicated their lives (in his case with outstanding success) to the reestablishment of their affairs.

A sidelight on this preoccupation with this world's goods is the requests made by several people (including Lady Maderty) that the Laird of Craighall should look after their property in 1651 when the English were in Perthshire, Craighall presumably being considered a secure place.

On a personal side, the correspondence contains requests for fishhooks, books, and ash saplings; it deals with the problems of education, the qualifications of ministers, the day to day duties required of a laird, and it covers in considerable detail the marital difficulties of James Ogilvy of Balfour.

As the letters were usually delivered by a bearer who knew their contents, there was no need for the writer to be absolutely precise, and many of the letters leave the details of what the writer had in mind to be filled out by his messenger. They are also for the same reason frequently very badly written. Many of the writers cannot be identified with certainty, and mistakes have probably been made. One genealogical fact does emerge from the papers. In the Scots Peerage, David 3rd Lord Maderty is given only three daughters. However it appears from letter X.c.61 (155) that he had a fourth, Jean, who was married to Stirling of Achyll.

Letters from or to members of the Drummond family have been transcribed in full. The rest have been calendared in greater or lesser detail according to their apparent interest.

An Index of names found within the collection can be found at the end of the guide.

Additional pencil markings on the manuscripts refer to the previous arrangement by the National Register of Archives in Scotland.

Description based on the calendar made by Patrick Cadell in 1981.