Robert Drummond of Carnock

Sir Robert Drummond of Carnock (died 1592) was Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland from 1579 to 1583. This was the responsibility for building and repair of palaces and castles. His appointment was made to be "as Sir James Hamilton of Finnart had it." Life Robert Drummond was the eldest son of Alexander Drummond, of Carnock and Arnmore (Ernmore), and Marjory Bruce of Auchinbowie. Arnmore is a location at Kippen, Stirlingshire, neighbouring Broich, the home of William Schaw, his successor as Master of Work who is regarded as a founder of Freemasonry. Alexander Drummond had been a supporter of the Earl of Angus and went with him to exile to England in 1529. Carnock, the location, is to the east of Stirling. Robert built up the Carnock lands into a holding recognised as a free barony. Robert's first wife, Agnes (or Margaret), was a sister of Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange. With Robert's permission, Agnes Kirkcaldy sold a tenement in Dysart called the "Slate House" in 1540. Agnes's sister Elizabeth married John Mowbray grandson of Robert Barton of Over Barnton. Some time after 1542, Robert married Marjorie Elphinstone, the sister of his neighbour Lord Elphinstone. In 1553 the affairs of Lord Elphinstone were put in the hands of Lord Erskine, John Drummond of Innerpeffray, and Robert Drummond of Carnock. He was knighted as a supporter of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, in 1565. He had fought for Darnley's father, Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, against Regent Arran at Glasgow Muir in 1544.