[1] The settlement was primarily developed around quarrying of stone, but is better known for a 1559 confrontation between the French troops of Mary of Guise and the Protestant forces of the Lords of the Congregation.

[7][8] On the site of the Brighton Brick and Tile works, occasionally referred to as the Trafford Bank Brickworks, now stands a small industrial estate.

The Protestant Lords of the Congregation opposed the French troops of Mary of Guise commanded by Henri Cleutin and a Scottish force led by James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault.

A truce of eight days was made and signed by Lord James and Cleutin[12] at "Garlabank", now Garlie Bank, on the flank of the hill by the river.

[13] Robert Lindsay supplies dialogue for the negotiation, giving Lord Lindsay a lengthy and persuasive speech to the French commanders Cleutin, De la Chapel, and Sarlabous that brokered the peace;"Ye are strangers, lose not the hearts of Scottish-men, neither procure the nobility of Scotland to turn enemies to the King of France, who are now his friends, ...