This siege failed however because Sir John Stirling, the Scottish but pro-English Constable of Edinburgh Castle, took 120 men who attacked the besiegers.

[2] David II of Scotland having spent nine years in France returned to his own kingdom in 1341 and appears to have highly favoured the Earl of Sutherland.

[2] According to Sir Robert Gordon, William, Earl of Sutherland succeeded in taking Roxburgh Castle back from the English.

[2] David II of Scotland subsequently conferred upon his brother-in-law the Earl of Sutherland various charters of lands in rapid succession.

Also in 1346, the Earl of Sutherland joined the Scottish army that mustered at Perth and invaded England, subsequently being defeated at the Battle of Neville's Cross.

In June 1351, the Earl of Sutherland is mentioned in a safe conduct for him to attend a conference at Newcastle upon Tyne for the ransom of David II of Scotland.

In 1362, the earl along with his second countess, Joanna daughter of Sir John Menteith, were given special permission to visit the shrine of St Thomas at Canterbury Cathedral.

[4] According to historian Angus Mackay, this account corroborates with a complaint made by William, 5th Earl of Sutherland in 1342 when he applied to the Pope for a dispensation of marriage with Margaret Bruce (daughter of Robert I of Scotland) against "an ancient enemy" who caused "wars, disputes and many offences, in these parts".

[3] Sir Robert Gordon's version of events agrees with this account, but he adds that the meeting actually took place at Dingwall Castle.

[3] The Earl had only one son with Margaret Bruce, John of Sutherland, who was to succeed the childless David II of Scotland as king.

[3][note 1] It suited royal policy to put pressure upon the Earl of Sutherland by favouring their "ancient enemy", Mackay of Strathnaver.

[3] Thus just when Mackay was in sight of receiving a favourable judgement, he and his son were killed by Nicolas Sutherland in the dead of night at Dingwall Castle in 1370.