George Elphinstone

[1] In this role he controlled the access to James VI of Scotland allowed to the English diplomatic agent, George Nicholson, occasionally bringing him secretly into the king's cabinet at Holyroodhouse.

In October 1598, his mistress was mentioned as a recipient of diplomatic gifts from Sorley Boy MacDonnell, along with himself, the king, Anne of Denmark, and Beatrix Ruthven.

Martin Slater later gained the patronage of Anne of Denmark's brother, Ulrik, Duke of Holstein and set up the Red Bull Theatre in London.

[9] After spending a weekend in Glasgow with the newly weds at the end of August, James VI gave Elphinstone land in the New Park of Partick to build a better house to entertain him in the next time.

In the nineteenth century the remaining buildings consisted of a small tower and an adjacent lodging with seventeenth-century decorative plasterwork on the ceiling of the upper storey.

[12] In 1613 he argued with Hans Meinhard von Schönberg over cost-cutting measures in Elizabeth's household and resigned his post as secretary.