it was besieged and taken by Middleton, the Covenanter. We have
a full account of the siege in Bishop Guthrie's Memoirs. Learning that
the castle was fortified with a company of foot under Lord Napier,
Middleton "brought a number of great ordnance from Sterlin Castle to
batter the walls." After ten days the besieged were distressed from
want of water. Lord Napier, guided by his page, who was a Graham,
managed to escape. The rest surrendered, twelve being shot on the
spot, and thirty-five taken prisoners to Edinburgh. "Then Middleton
ordered the Castle of Kincardine to be burnt, which was done upon the
16th day of March."

Close by the Church of Tullibardine used to stand Tullibardine Castle.
Here lived for generations the family of Murray, who played many a part
in the changeful events of Scottish history. There was one Sir William
Murray--the builder of part of the College Church--who is chiefly
remembered as the father of seventeen stalwart sons. He took them one
day to pay court to the King at Stirling. When the King saw their
numbers he was angry, for an Act had been passed forbidding such
formidable retinues. But when the Laird of Tullibardine explained that
he brought only his sons, each with a single man attendant, the King's
anger was turned to compliment, and he forthwith gifted an addition to
the estate which grew so many men. There was a circular room in the
castle, with a pillar in the centre, where all the seventeen sons are
said to have slept--heads towards the wall, and feet at the pillar.[11]
Fully a century later there was another Sir William Murray with the
King at Stirling Castle. He so far forgot himself one day as to break
the nose of the Earl of Argyll in the King's presence, for which double
breach Sir William was exiled. But ere long the King felt need of him.
Refractory subjects would not pay the King his mails and silver marts,
and he was heard to sigh--"Oh that I had Will Murray again." The sigh
was duly conveyed to the exile, who returned, and speedily regained the
Royal favour by persuading the unwilling debtors to pay their dues.
His son, Sir John, was educated with the young King at Stirling, and
earned the title of Earl of Tullibardine in 1606. In 1670 the title
went to the Earls of Atholl. Fortune was less kind to their
descendant, better known as Lord George Murray. He took the Stewart
side in 1745, and entertained Prince Charles Edward at Tullibardine
Castle. Exile fo