The Reid family of Traquair Station traces its Otago roots back to the region's early settlers.
Ancestors of the current owners of Traquair arrived at Port Chalmers in 1855 and settled on a small section West Taieri in 1856.
That area was was increased, but Charles Reid, one of the current owners, told a recent Meat and Wool New Zealand sheep and beef council field day, that commonage grazing on the Maungatua and surrounding hills also allowed them to increase the number of stock grazed.
They were able to secure land at Traquair Burn, now part of their station, under the Wastelands Act, which allowed people to lease 20,000 to 30,000 acres (8000ha to 12,000ha) for 5 to 10 a year, plus sixpence per head of cattle and a penny per head of sheep.
Their holding at Traquair Burn was freeholded in 1874 and soon enlarged to include what was now known as Horsehoof Station and the total area was run by K. W. Reid and family.
Another neighbouring farm, Allendale, was bought in the 1880s by W. W. Reid and N. T. Reid, the great-grandfather of Charles and his brother James Reid, along with James Fulton, who also owned Lee Flat Station.
The partnership split in 1920 and Allendale was initially farmed by W. J. Reid, their grandfather, and later their uncle, Archie Reid, who sold it in the 1970s.
The neighbouring property was bought by W. J. and F. D. Reid in 1927 from Ivan Penrose, of the family which owned the Dunedin retail store.
Later F. D. Reid sold his share and K. W and R. J. Reid were the shareholders and traded as W. J. Reid and Sons.
The partnership split about 1957 and Ron Reid, Charles and James Reid's father, took over the combined property, which was the nucleus of Traquair Station.
It covered 4400ha, but was extended through subsequent property purchases to 6000ha.
The name Traquair was taken from the Traquair Burn, which was named by a surveyor who saw similarities to an area around the village of Traquair in southwest Scotland.