The McBrairs held the respected hereditary position of Provost of
Dumfries for many generations. However, the family was disgraced
in 1587 when Archibald McBrair had the bad manners to murder a
local burgess while King James VI was visiting. The king was offended
and Archibald was sentenced to death, although there is some
question as to whether his sentence was actually carried out.