St John Ogilvie

Accompanied by fellow Jesuit Father James Moffat and Friar John Campbell, a Capuchin, Father John Ogilvie set off in 1613 for Scotland travelling under an assumed name, of John Watson. The Government had spies scattered over the Continent whose business it was to pick up in Rome, Valladolid and other places, information about priests and seminarians destined for home missions. The information was forwarded to those who would search ships hailing from foreign ports, and suspects were apprehended on landing in Scotland or England.

As Watson (the Scottish surname meaning son of Walter), in the guise of a soldier returning from European wars looking to turn to horse dealing, he split up from his companions on landing and headed for his native North-East, where the Catholic faith was still flickering under the protection of the powerful Gordon, Earl of Huntly. His superiors may have felt he would be safest here. He was close to home but there is no record of him having any contact with his family.

Father John is thought to have spent Christmas at Strathbogie, and may even have visited Grant of Ballindalloch, who was fined around this time for harbouring a priest. Most noblemen wanted little to do with the visitor. Going against the King would cost them their position and land holdings; they pretended to be faithful to the new religion to retain their wealth. However, others of professional or lower classes responded.