James Erskine, Lord Grange, was a judge and politician and became a member of the Faculty of Advocates in 1705 and raised to the bench the following year, taking the title of Lord Grange. During the 1740s he became involved with the Jacobite rebellion and was said to have commented to the Pretender in June of 1745 'there never was and never can be such a favourable opportunity to attempt your Majesty's restoration'.

Lord Grange was the father of Mary Erskine (d.1772), wife of John, 3rd Earl of Kintore .