Alexander Oustean

[1] Oustean undertook a variety of duties for the council, acting as a pricer of wines and timber in 1590, and was often sent as the town's representative or commissioner to the Convention of Royal Burghs.

[2] In October 1589 he was sent with the merchant Richard Doby to meet the builders of a new house or hospital for lepers at the Chapel of the Rood by Greenside, to design or set out the bounds of the site and building.

[3] Alexander Oustean sided with the vocal party of Edinburgh merchants who wished James VI of Scotland to marry a Danish bride rather than Catherine de Bourbon, the sister of Henry of Navarre.

[4] Oustean was wealthy, and was a financial guarantor or "cautionar" of the expenses of George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal during the negotiations for the marriage of Anne of Denmark and James VI.

[6] An account of expenses relating to the marriage and the English subsidy, kept by Jean Fleming, the "Lady Chancellor", includes a payment of £292-13s-4d Scots made to "Allexander Anstien taillour".

[7] In July 1590 Arnot and Oustean as commissioners for the burgh of Edinburgh contracted to borrow from the Comptroller of Scotland, David Seton of Parbroath, the sum of £100,000 Scots and pay the king £4000 yearly.