[2] His will, written on 17 February 1683, left a small token to his sister and her son, Saphira and Edward Lightmaker of Broadhurst.

[2][4] They jointly became executors to Leighton's will and carried out his wishes to have his books bequeathed to Dunblane Cathedral.

[2] The library was completed in 1687, with Dr James Fall, the Principal of the University of Glasgow, coming to inspect the building erected in his friend's memory.

[1] Although the readership contained small numbers, the high quality of the collection meant that there was constant support from the gentry, professionals and the clergy.

[1] It was in the 19th century that the library had a rise in numbers; this was due to the mineral wells that had been discovered on the Cromlix Estate in 1813.

[1] During the period where the wells had many visitors, the trustees offered a temporary membership to the library for 2s.

[3] At the beginning of the 20th century the building had fallen into neglect and was affected by damp and, during World War II, an air-raid shelter was constructed within its vaults.