William Stewart of Baldorran - Bailie of The Crown Lands of Balquhidder

Bailie of The Crown Lands of Balquhidder

In or around 1488 William Stewart of Baldorran was appointed Royal Bailie of the Crown Lands of Balquhidder. A baillie (alternative spelling bailie, from Old French) was a local civic officer in Scottish burghs, approximately equivalent to the post of alderman or magistrate (see bailiff) in other countries. They were responsible for a jurisdiction called a bailiary (alt. bailiery). Scottish barons often appointed a Baillie as their judicial officer.

William brought the Stewart name to Balquhidder and was the founder of the Balquhidder Stewart clan. The Stewarts of Ardvorlich, Glen Buckie, Gartnafuaran and Annat and their cadet families are all descended from him.

The name Baldorran is derived from the Gaelic, baille nan dobhran, meaning "town of the otter". It is sometimes spelled using the archaic form of "Balindoran". In any event Baldorran no longer exists. It was located in East Dunbartonshire, near Milton of Campsie, approximately 15 miles southwest of Stirling. The Stewarts of Baldorran sold Baldorran to the Glorat family, and today maps show the former residence of Baldorran as Glorat House.

William Stewart did much to restore prosperity to his family, ruined by the events of 1425 and the execution of his great-grandfather the Duke of Albany. He succeeded in expanding the family estates, adding parts of Upper Strathgartney and eventually most of Balquhidder.