Craigmillar Castle began construction by the Preston family starting in the 14th century. In 1517, King James V was sent to Craigmillar to seek refuge from an outbreak of the plague. In 1554, King James VIII wanted to force a royal marriage upon his son Edward, Prince of Wales, and Mary Queen of Scotts. This resulted in a period of time called the “Rough Wooing”. Although, the English did win the battle; it was an unsuccessful attempt in marrying the two. In 1657 Mary’s husband, Lord Darnley, was found strangled. This led to her surrender of the throne, and imprisonment. Approximately twenty years later, she was executed in England. At the time of King James VI’s rule in 1572, the castle was utilized as a base for the span of the siege of
