 Urquhart had a population of 420 (as of the 2001 Census).Mary Queen of Scots, the Dowager Queen of France, in 1561 rewarded her trusted friend, and most loyal supporter George Seton, 7th Lord Seton, with the stewardship of the estates of Pluscarden Priory and four years later, she gave the Priory to his son, her godson, Alexander Seton.During the troubled years that followed, the Setons lost possession, but they regained control in 1581 when Alexander was appointed Commendator.