He was the son of Robert Beaton of Creich and Jeanne de la Rainville (d. 1576), a French lady-in-waiting to Mary of Guise.
Another sister, Lucrece, brought up in the queen's household,[2] married David Beaton of Melgund.
David did not have a son, so on his death in 1579 his brother Mr James Beaton became the keeper of Falkland Palace.
[3] In December 1599 his grandson David Beaton, apparent of Creich, was declared a rebel and his house or fortalice at Dunbog was placed in the keeping of James Wemyss of Bogy.
In exchange the Beatons were given the lands of Nether Byres and Urquharts, and the pasturage on the Lomond Hills.