George Learmonth of Balcomie

His home was Balcomie Castle in Fife. He also leased property belonging to the Hospital of St Nicholas in St Andrews.^[2]

George Learmonth took part in the rebellion known as the Chaseabout Raid in 1565, and received a remission or pardon from Mary, Queen of Scots, in March 1566.^[3]

On 9 August 1569 he wrote to John Lesley, Bishop of Ross, from London, asking for a passport for himself, the son of James MacGill, Peter Young, and Patrick Adamson. He mentioned he carried a supply of German pistols.^[4]

His brother Patrick Learmonth of Dairsie was Provost of St Andrews. Patrick Learmonth lent money to his son-in-law, William Kirkcaldy of Grange, during the "lang siege" of Edinburgh Castle taking jewels belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots as security. These included a "carcan" necklace of 7 great rubies set in gold with 32 great pearls, for a loan of £1000 Scots made jointly with Michael Balfour feuar of Montquhanie.^[5]

At this time Learmonth and James Sandilands of St Monans were prosecuted by St Andrews burgh council for not paying rents for lands formerly belonging to the Dominican friars.^[6]

He died in 1585.

He married Euphemia Leslie, a daughter of George Leslie, 4th Earl of Rothes and Margaret Crichton. Their children included:

• James Learmonth of Balcomie, one of the Gentleman Adventurers of Fife and father of James Learmonth, Lord Balcomie. James Learmonth had a child with Grissell Gray in 1585, and with Helen Huntar, the wife of Alan Lentroun in St Andrews, in 1586.^[7]
• John Learmonth of Balcomie, who married Elizabeth Myrton. Their heraldry with the date 1602 is carved above the gateway at Balcomie.^[8]
• Robert Learmonth, who married Janet Skene, a daughter of John Skene, Lord Curriehill.

After his death, Euphemia Leslie married John Cunningham of Barns.^[9]