7th of Holmains

His lifetime would carry the family across one of the great dividing lines in British history. John was born into the Scotland of Mary Queen of Scots, matured under James VI, and died after that same James had inherited the English throne and begun the political transformation of the Borders.

During John's lifetime Mary was forced from the Scottish throne, executed in England in 1587, the Spanish Armada sailed in 1588, and in 1603 the crowns of Scotland and England were united in the person of James VI and I.