William first Earl of Gowrie ~ born around 1541, this nobleman became the first Earl of Gowrie in 1581. He was involved in the murder of David Rizzo (1566) and was later the custodian of Mary Queen of Scots during her captivity at Loch Leven Castle (1567-68). In 1582 he kidnapped the boy King James VI, to Castle Ruthven near Perth, for which he was pardoned but then exiled. Despite this he was beheaded in 1584 at Stirling for his part in the conspiracy at Stirling Castle. To find out more about The Gowrie Conspiracy see this great You Tube video by Bruce Fummey: https://youtu.be/nXf6zYR5m1A.
