[2] He supported the faction of Mary, Queen of Scots and at the capture of Dumbarton Castle on 2 May 1571, he was taken prisoner, but appears to have been freed soon afterwards.
[3] On his father making submission to the Regent Morton on 22 May 1574, Livingstone was relieved of bonds, which he had entered into for the deliverance of Callendar House.
[3] Livingstone was a member of the assize for the trial of Morton in 1581; and he remained a loyal supporter of Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox.
For his prompt action in taking possession of Stirling Castle on 22 April 1584, after it had been vacated by the Ruthven raiders, he was declared to have done good service.
Although he may well have been concerned in negotiations with Spain, he was on 31 October 1593 appointed a member of the commission for the trial of the Earls of Angus, Huntly, and Erroll for the same treasonable conduct, in the Spanish blanks plot; and he signed the act of abolition in their favour on 26 November.
In November 1596 the care of Princess Elizabeth was entrusted to him and his wife Helen Livingstone, Countess of Linlithgow, which caused continuing controversy because she was a Roman Catholic.
Livingstone signed a bond with other noblemen supporting the delivery of the Prince to the Queen, an action which greatly displeased King James.