Let me unfold the vibrant tapestry of your family’s history, the Stuarts, a lineage intertwined with the rich threads of Scottish royalty and legacy. The saga of your family begins with the stewards, or seneschals, of Dol in Brittany, who embarked on a journey to Scotland through England when David I returned to claim his throne in 1124. Your ancestors swiftly ascended to esteemed positions, eventually becoming hereditary high stewards of Scotland.

Through strategic unions, such as Marjory’s marriage to Robert the Bruce, your family’s influence reached its zenith. The crowning moment arrived when Robert Stewart, known as Robert II, assumed the throne. The torch of legacy was passed down as he bestowed upon his younger son, John, the lands of Bute, Arran, and Cumbrae. Your family’s crest shone brightly as King James IV anointed Stewart’s descendant, Ninian, as hereditary captain and keeper of the royal Castle of Rothesay in 1498. The spellings evolved over time, ultimately adopting the version popularized by Mary, Queen of Scots.

Amid the tapestry of time, Sir James Stuart of Bute took center stage, being honored with the title of Baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles I in 1627. The storms of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms tested the family’s resilience, with Sir James staunchly defending Rothesay Castle and subsequently seeking refuge in Ireland during Cromwell’s triumph. However, the light of fortune returned, with your family regaining their estates after a considerable fine. In the pages of history, Sir James Stuart’s lineage supported the rise of William of Orange and participated in the negotiation of the Treaty of Union with England during Queen Anne’s reign.

The Earl of Bute, in 1703, carved his name into the annals of history, earning titles that resonated with the majesty of the land. Despite initially opposing the union with England, he withdrew from political strife upon realizing its inevitability. The mantle of influence was carried forward through time, with the third earl of Bute’s close companionship with Prince George evolving into a Privy Councillor and First Lord of the Treasury during George III’s reign.

Your family’s narrative continued through industrial strides during the nineteenth century, notably led by the second Marquess of Bute. His visionary endeavors transformed Cardiff into a thriving port, reaping abundant wealth through coal exports. This legacy still reverberates in your family’s heritage.

The tapestry of time wove its intricate patterns, culminating in the present era with you, the heir, known affectionately as Johnny Dumfries. The torchbearer of a storied legacy, your family’s history shines as a beacon of endurance, adaptation, and influence, illuminating a path of pride and honor.