Change to the plans

“Later this week (August 28) the escape of Mary, Queen of Scots from Lochleven Castle will be commemorated by a special ‘boat race’ on Lochleven,” emails Andy Inglis.

“No doubt many Courier readers will know the story of Willie Douglas and his involvement in Mary’s escape from Lochleven Castle in 1568. What might also be of interest is that Mary, Queen of Scots, had evaded capture in 1565 when she and her entourage were to be travelling from Perth via Kinross and on to the River Forth then finally to her destination in Callender.

“Mary’s enemies had planned to be waiting at a lonely part of the journey at Parnwell, a few miles south of Kinross, where they hoped to take her prisoner but Mary’s supporters had learned of the plot and made changes to Mary’s travel plans and so the plot was foiled.

“It was here at Parnwell that a stone bridge was erected to commemorate Mary’s escape from her enemies. This memorial bridge (see photograph below left) was erected by the Lord Chief Commissioner Adam of Blairadam more than 150 years ago. The inscriptions on the bridge tell the story of how Mary, Queen of Scots, avoided capture at Parnwell.

“My photograph, taken in 1976, in the shadow of Benarty Hill, shows a rather dilapidated structure but I believe the bridge has since been repaired and looked after by interested groups.”