KINGDOM OF FIFE AND KINROSS

CUPAR

The Royal Burgh of Cupar

Cupar was the county town of Fife until 1974. Both the historical and geographical centre of the County, it received its first recorded Royal Charter in 1382 and since that time has played an important role in the affairs of the County. So, although it's of modest size, it has seen very prosperous days and it has the civic, commemorative and commercial buildings that prosperity permits. The street names in the centre of town also give clues to the town's history.

Cupar for several centuries has been the seat of justice and administration. In records that go back to 1239 reference may be found to the "fines of Fife" imposed in the courts of Cupar. It was Cupar's reputation as the place of justice that gave rise to the old Fife saying - "He wha will tae Cupar maun to Cupar gang."

Although lying inland in a valley between ranges of low hills. Cupar has been an ancient trading place for centuries.

   LOCH LEVEN CASTLE from KINROSS.

The castle occupying the second largest of the islands in Loch Leven, has as its nucleus an early and particularly well-preserved example of a tower-house. This tower stands near the corner of a defensible courtyard which may have been built by the end of the thirteenth century. The castle has survived as well because it was preserved as an eye-catcher in the view from Kinross House which was itself built between 1686 and 1693 by Sir William Bruce, the architect of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Today Loch Leven is well known for the fishing (boat fishing only).

Mary Queen of Scots

www.marie-stuart.co.uk

After Mary's marriage to Bothwell on 14th May 1567, the Lords once more decided to take up arms against her in protest. They met at Carberry Hill on 15th June but there was no confrontation. Instead, the Queen agreed to the Lords’ demands on condition that Bothwell be allowed to walk free. In return, they promised her that she would be reinstated as monarch. However, nothing of the sort happened. Bothwell escaped to Norway only to end his life in jail in Denmark, while Mary was led back to Edinburgh under the insults of the plebe and without being allowed even a change of clothes. They then took her to Lochleven where she stayed imprisoned for a year.

Lochleven Castle is situated on a very small island near Kinross. At the time, it was in the possession of William Douglas, son of Lady Agnes Douglas who was herself James, the Earl of Moray’s mother. Rejected mistress of James V who had preferred Mary’s mother, she could never come to terms with the fact that Mary was James V’s legitimate child and bearer of the Crown instead of her precious son James. She made life hell for Mary as soon as she arrived. However, Mary made a few friends there, including the youngest son, George Douglas who became so infatuated with her that he helped her escape. Before that though, Mary fell very ill again and had a miscarriage. She lost twins who were presumably Bothwell’s children and were buried on the island.

The Lords visited her there and under force and fear made her abdicate in favour of her son. On 2nd May 1568, after a first fruitless attempt, Mary escaped from the Castle and was met by Lord Seton on the other side. On 13th May, she gathered her troops and went to fight against her brother and the Lords. She was defeated and fled to Terregles Castle.