The Story of Great Grandpa Patrick Ruthven – A Scottish Ancestor Story

There is nothing more exciting than uncovering stories about ancestors who lived anything but ordinary lives. Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven, was born in the Scottish Highlands around 1520. A passionate and determined man, he fought fiercely for his beliefs. Accounts written about him describe someone who was as formidable with a dagger as he was with a pen.

He is best remembered as the chief instigator behind the murder of David Rizzio, the confidant of Mary, Queen of Scots, making him one of the more colorful figures in Scottish Highland genealogy. The Ruthven family name carries considerable historical weight, with many scholars believing the family served as one of the inspirations behind Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a story of ambition, betrayal, and political intrigue that mirrors the Ruthven story remarkably well. But in this household, he is simply known as Grandpa Patrick.

The story below details his remarkable life, including recently uncovered references to magic and witchcraft. Stay tuned for a follow-up.

Inspired to uncover your own family stories? The guide on how to research your family history is a great place to start, and the family tree chart templates make it easy to display whatever you discover.