James Craufurd of Craufurdland

  Noted events in his life were:

• Sir William Wallace: Cousin and follower of Sir William Wallace. James Craufurd of Craufurdland was a follower of Sir William Wallace, his cousin. James's Aunt by his father's side, Margaret, married Sir Malcolm Wallace of Ellerslie in Ayrshire 1 mile west of Kilmarnock (not to be confused with Elderslie in Renfrewshire) and became the mother of Sir William Wallace , the immortal hero of Scotland. With the power and influence of the High Office of the Sheriff of Ayr within their family, Margaret Crawford's father and brothers risking life and property provided protection for William Wallace after his initial fateful clash with the English. During this time Wallace's Crawford uncles were influential in training him in the arts of diplomacy, war, and languages as well as nurturing Wallace's tremendous desire to re-establish an independent Scotland.
Family records related that the third Laird helped his cousin, Sir William Wallace, become Arden of Scotland in 1297. Wallace's younger brother John and uncle Sir Reginald Crawford, both of whom were prominent in the service of both Wallace and Robert the Bruce, were executed at Carlisle in 1307 for their loyalty to Wallace. Wallace had been executed earlier in August 1305 in London.
The castle of the Boyds, Dean Castle, was located in Kilmarnock, some 2 miles from Craufurdland. The two castles were connected by an underground passage. The soldiers of Edward I of England lay siege around Dean Castle for three months. When the English soldiers were starting to starve, the inhabitants of Dean Castle hung out fresh beef and offered it to the English, saying they had more food than they could use. In disgust, the English commander raised the siege. The underground passage had been the secret to survival! There was always a very close friendship between the Craufurds of Craufurdland and the Boyd of Kilmarnock. There is a delightful legend about this friendship, although probably not true, it is entertaining.