As a part of a royal progress through the West of Scotland in 1563, Mary Queen of Scots spent three days at Rossdhu Castle on Loch Lomondside.
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS AND GLEN FINLAS
On Thursday, 15 th of July her company rode from Dumbarton Castle northward, crossing Finlas Water at the mouth of Glen Finlas. She stayed at Rossdhu until the Saturday, and during these three days her host, Colquhoun of Luss, would have been required to entertain her in a variety of ways.
Mary was exceptionally keen on falconry, so it is distinctly possible that she would have been indulged in that pursuit. Glen Finlas, but a mile from Rossdhu, would have made a splendid setting for such sport and is tempting to think that the queen would have been taken there.
Whether this happened or not, there is no doubt, however, that Mary Queen of Scots rode over the lower reaches of Glen Finlas, thus adding an especially romantic historical association to the beauty of this magnificent valley.
Mary Queen of Scots Scotland Premiere Edinburgh Castle. Saoirse Ronan, left, played the queen.