The Armorial Stone of Pitlethie

Leuchars Castle was a 12th-century motte and bailey stronghold located near Leuchars, Fife. The town was created a barony during the time of King William the Lion, and the castle was rebuilt in stone during the 13th century. The English attacked and slighted the castle in 1327. In 1337, the castle was besieged and attacked by forces of Sir Andrew Murray, and the English garrison surrendered. After being rebuilt in the 16th century, the castle was demolished in the 20th century.

To the north of Leuchars lies Pitlethie, where archival records such as royal household books and pursemaster's accounts mention that James V and Mary, Queen of Scots, frequently stayed. The Tentsmuir Forest nearby offered attractions including falconry and hunting. James V waited for Mary of Guise to arrive in Scotland at Pitlethie, where he issued sixteen great seal charters between August 1537 and May 1542. The surviving household books mention visits in May, July, and August 1539, and Regent Arran visited on 24 July 1547.

An armorial stone of the royal arms was discovered in the 18th century at the site of the now-demolished royal building. The stone was also said to relate to Archbishop Alexander Stewart, a son of James IV. While the house at Pitlethie was used by various figures including James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, the nearby castle doocot remains as a category A listed building on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons