King of Kippen

King James V was a popular monarch who believed that to truly learn how his people lived, he needed to wander amongst them in disguise. He would quietly sneak out of Stirling Castle, naming his alias 'The Guidman of Ballengeich' after the road that runs below the castle rock.

James might have been well liked by the commoners, but not everybody was fond of the King. Away from the wagging tongues of the Royal Court, John Buchanan of Arnprior made no secret of how much he hated him. He was usually careful to make sure his words never got back to the monarch, until one bad mistake.

The King's servants were preparing for a grand feast at Stirling, scouring the hills around Kippen for deer and boar. After the successful hunt, they made their way back to the town, passing the gates of Arnprior as Buchanan was entertaining guests.

Enraged that his lands were being deprived of their game, he demanded the meat be brought inside to feed his party. Naturally, the servants protested that this was food for the King’s table and nobody else. By this point, Buchanan was both drunk and beside himself with rage. He declared that James might be King of Scots, but he was the King of Kippen!

The servants arrived back at Stirling Castle empty handed and were forced to explain the events to the King. The waiting nobles were ready to gather their men and burn Buchanan’s house down for this insult, but James was more subtle.

The King set off for Arnprior, dressed in plain clothes with just a few of his closest men. On arrival, he was informed that Buchanan was hosting a private feast and wasn’t to be disturbed by somebody without an invitation. James respectfully asked that a message be passed to the host. The Guidman of Ballengeich had come to dine with the King of Kippen.

The servant had barely disappeared when he came rushing back to open the gates and welcome the group inside. When James entered, he found a grovelling Buchanan, quickly sobering up and begging for forgiveness. The King of Kippen was so grateful for James’ restraint that he went on to become one of the King of Scots’ most loyal subjects.