Sir Simon Preston

  General Notes:

Sir John’s son, Sir Simon, bought the lands and barony of Craigmillar in l3745, and these lands also were held until 1660 by the Prestons, who became one of the most powerful families in the Lothians, and produced several prominent men. William Preston, the second laird after Sir Simon, ‘made deligent labour ande grete menis for the gettyn of the arme bane of Sant Gele, the quhilk bane he frely left to oure mothir kirk of Sant Gele of Edynburgh withoutyn ony con­dicioun makyn.’ 1 The Provost and Council of Edinburgh built the Preston Aisle of St. Giles’s Church to receive the relic.

1 See advertisement of Uttershill, Edinburgh Courant, April 1, 1706. 2 Chartulary of Newbottle (Bannatyne Club), pp. 28, 29. 3 R.M. S., 1306-1424, App. 1, 111. 4Rymer’s Foedera, v. 534. 5B. M. S., 1306-1424, No. 455. http://www.inglis.uk.com/4%20earlyhistoryofauchindinny.htm