[4] He arrived on 14 August 1561, also bringing the news from the French court that Mary, Queen of Scots was returning to Scotland after 13 years in France.
[6] He brought the Master of Work William MacDowall and craftsmen and gunners including David Rowan, the metal-workers Adam Hamilton and John Biccarton, and the glazier Steven Loch who provided a window for Anstruther's chamber.
[8] In April 1562, Anstruther was made captain of Dumbarton Castle, after Duke of Chatelherault was forced to resign the keepership due to the actions of his son James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran.
[13] Anstruther continued at Inchkeith under Regent Moray and received wages for soldiers there in June 1568 including Bartraham Companye, William Lowriestoun, Julian Rowan, David Scraling, George Lafont, John Carruthers, and Archie Blackwood.
[14] In January 1568 Regent Moray authorised the demolition of the fort and granted Anstruther the use and sale of salvaged materials from the accommodation including slates, roof timbers, doors, windows, iron yetts, and storage girnels.