SANQUHAR Tolbooth was awash with activity as the town stepped back in time to re-enact Mary Queen of Scots’ visit from 1568.
On Sunday, May 13, it was 450 years to the day that the former monarch fled to Sanquhar.
She escaped from Lochleven Castle on May 2 1568 where she had been imprisoned for 10 months after being arrested and deposed from the crown by members of the Scottish nobility.
With Mary determined to reclaim her crown, her escape was a huge crisis for the Scottish Government headed by Lord James Stewart, Earl of Moray as Regent.
Both Mary and Moray quickly gathered supporters and on May 13 1568 their opposing forces clashed outside Glasgow at Langside in what was a critical conflict for each of them.
Although Mary’s forces were numerically superior, Moray was supported by Scotland’s most able generals and his well-organised army overwhelmed her troops.
Mary fled and arrived in Sanquhar late that evening. She then spent a further evening and stayed overnight in the Town House which was owned by Lord Sanquhar.
She also spent time in Dundrennan Abbey before crossing the Solway Firth in a fishing boat to reach England.
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