George Bruce of Carnock
James ventured into an entrance on land which went far out under the Firth of Forth and found himself emerging at the top of a stone tower sitting a quarter of a mile from shore.
Alarmed to find himself surrounded by water, James accused Sir George of an attempt on his life and declared that the whole affair was an act of treason.
Taylor was impressed and wrote that he told George Bruce that the Gunpowder plotters might have learnt from him, or such underground works would be a suitable wine cellar for a London tavern.
He also noted a horse drawn drainage machine, later described as an Egyptian wheel, draining the mine with an endless chain with 36 buckets attached, and the extensive salt works.
[15] Lyall was involved in buying a jewel given by the Earl Marischal to Anne of Denmark at her proxy marriage to James VI.
The Falcon and the cargo of the Jesus were taken in the Lowestoft road on 17 March by an English sailor, Captain Chaleis, who sailed to Portsmouth.
His ship, the Bruce, captained by William Stewart of Dundee, went to Ferrol for a cargo of wine, figs, and raisins.
[20] The Julian was a privateer, captained by John Clarke, and cruised the Spanish coast to capture prize cargoes of sugar and Brazilwood dye, at a time when England was at war with Spain.
In September 1598, James VI instructed the diplomat David Foulis to discuss the case with Queen Elizabeth and Sir Robert Cecil.
[22] In 1599 James VI wrote to Christian IV of Denmark seeking permission for Bruce to fish in Iceland waters, with boats crewed with English sailors for the next ten years, after Christian IV had forbidden English fleets to fish in his territories, following Niels Krag's diplomatic mission to England.
[23][24] In 1621 King James asked the Privy Council of Scotland to provide warning beacons, lights and bonfires, on the hidden rocks and shallows of the Forth to improve navigation.
This prompted the owners of coal mines in the Forth valley to make voluntary contributions for the beacons instead, instead of finding the money by taxing foreign ship-owners.
The north block has the fragmentary remains of a scene showing the Judgement of Solomon, and extensive original decorative painting.
[28] When George Bruce acquired the lands of Sillietoun Easter in 1599, he undertook to carry sand to the building works of Anne of Denmark at Dunfermline Palace.
His outstanding memorial (in the north chapel) by the mason John Mercer, shows him lying with his wife whilst his eight children, three sons and five daughters, pray, facing outward at the base as half-size figures.
