Alexander Elphinstone, 4th Lord Elphinstone

[1] In May 1585 Margaret Haldane, the wife of David Erskine, Commendator of Dryburgh, was held at Kildrummy Castle in the custody of the Master of Elphinstone.

Francis Walsingham, at the instance of her brother, wrote to Edward Wotton, an English diplomat in Edinburgh, to ask that she be moved to more congenial location.

Elphinstone and three lairds went to Linlithgow Palace to see Moray's mother, Margaret Campbell, Lady Castle, and offered her his bond of £100,000 Scots that he would appear at court for his trial.

David Foster had been killed at Kirkliston by the Laird of Dunipace and young Laird of Airth on 24 June, and Mar had carried the body in a procession to Linlithgow and Stirling on 12 July with a painted banner showing the murder, which crossed his opponent's lands, leading to a tense situation.

[5] His brother James Elphinstone, 1st Lord Balmerino was a member of the group of courtiers and financial officers known as the Octavians.

A little box contained frivolous writs and missives, there was a brass clock to stand on a table, and velvet, damask, and leather cushions.