Sir Andrew Wood: Scotland’s Nelson

Sir Andrew Wood was a prominent figure in Scotland during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and he has been widely referred to as “Scotland’s Nelson”. Born in the town of Leith, Wood made a name for himself as a sea captain and merchant, owning two well-equipped and armed ships, the Flower and the Yellow Caravel, which he used to trade with ports in the Netherlands and the Baltic. In addition to his trading ventures, Wood was also known to be an active privateer, preying on the shipping of Scotland’s enemies, particularly England.

Wood’s naval prowess and loyalty to Scotland earned him a position as the personal sea captain to King James III. He continued to prove his worth and allegiance to the Scottish crown when he transferred his support to the young James IV after James III’s death at the Battle of Sauchieburn. Wood’s bravery and tactical skills were demonstrated in his victory against five English privateers who were attacking Scottish ships off Dunbar. As a result, Wood was knighted by James IV and later appointed as the admiral of the rapidly expanding Royal Scots Navy.

Wood went on to command the Great Michael, the flagship of the Royal Scots Navy, in the support of the French against the English in 1513. Despite the disastrous outcome of the Battle of Flodden, where the Scottish army was wiped out, Wood remained a prominent figure in Scottish history and was even appointed as the Regent for the young James V.

Aside from his naval accomplishments, Sir Andrew Wood was also a respected leader of the Clan Wood, which traces its roots back to the early medieval period in Scotland. He married Elizabeth Lundie and had several sons, building a family home in the form of a fortified tower house near Upper Largo. He was said to have hated traveling by land and had a barge that he used to row to church each Sunday.

Sir Andrew Wood’s legacy as a naval hero, loyal servant to the Scottish crown, and leader of Clan Wood, continues to be remembered and celebrated in Scotland to this day. His fortified tower house, now in ruins, still stands as a testament to his contributions to Scottish history. Sir Andrew’s final journey was made by barge to be buried near his family home, probably in around 1515.

In conclusion, Sir Andrew Wood was a larger-than-life figure in Scotland’s history, and his contributions to the country’s naval power and the leadership of Clan Wood are still celebrated centuries later. He will always be remembered as Scotland’s Nelson.