The Royal Rescue at Cramond Brig

James V had lived a sheltered life since being crowned King of Scots at the age of 2. Legend says that in an attempt to understand his people better, the King would sneak out of his palaces and travel Scotland in disguise. As he mingled with his subjects, he would refer to himself as The Guidman of Ballengeich.

One day the disguised King was walking at Cramond when he was set upon by robbers. He managed to back himself onto Cramond Brig, but he was up against five men and in serious danger. A local man called John Howieson saw the fight from his cottage and raced to the stranger’s aid.

Together they fought off the thieves and John sheltered James in his cottage, washing his bloody hands. Thankful for his life, James asked his saviour what he would want more than anything else as a reward. All the farmer wanted was to own his farm, but it belonged to the King so unfortunately he didn’t think there was anything that the Guidman of Ballengeich could do.

James told him that he worked at Holyrood Palace. If John came to the backdoor the next day, then he would present him to the King. John happily made his way to the Palace and as they walked into the great hall, the farmer asked how he would know the King from all the other nobles. James replied that out of all the guests, only the King would be wearing a hat.

John quipped, "Well the King must be you or I since we're the only two wearing hats!"

As James turned and smiled at his companion, the penny dropped. John dropped to his knees before the laughing King. He was rewarded with ownership of his farm on the condition that he and his heirs would always be ready with a basin of water to wash the King of Scots' hands.