On 11 July 1274 Robert the Bruce was born in Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire.

The heir of the Earl of Carrick, Bruce's father was one of Scotland's leading nobles and his grandfather was one of the leading contenders to the throne left empty by the death of Margaret of Norway. After the death of William Wallace, Bruce led the campaign to regain Scottish independence, culminating in his stunning victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314.

On the 11 July 1370 Marjory Stewart, the daughter of King Robert II, married John Dunbar, the first Earl of Moray, against her father's consent.

Dunbar died after injuring himself at a tournament in London in 1391, but their son Thomas succeeded the title.