The text includes an old family tradition that has been described as a "fabulous story".William Fraser, HMC Manuscripts of the Duke of Hamilton (London, 1887), p. 2 The History states that Robert the Bruce gave the lands of Kinneil to Gilbert Hamilton, "for his trew service and greit manheid," and especially for having slain "for King Robertis pleasour the great lieutennand of Yngland upon Kynnale Muir. " Gilbert Hamilton had been with Robert Bruce at the battle of Bannockburn, and was one of the seven knights of the royal bodyguard. A large stone was said to mark the place where fight took place.Thomas James Salmon, Borrowstounness and District (Edinburgh: William Hodge, 1913), p. 24
