Following the Scottish victory at the Battle of Bannockburn,
Marjorie Bruce, sister of Robert I, was released from English
captivity and was given in marriage to Walter Stewart whose father
had been James the Stewart, a close supporter of the Scottish King
who had died in 1309. Their son it was decided, by a parliament
which had gathered in Ayr in 1315, was to become the next King if
Bruce (or his brother Edward) failed to produce an heir. Marjorie
gave birth to a son, Robert, a year later in 1316. Robert was
awarded the Lordship of Cunninghame to add to his family's seat of
Kyle.
Edward Bruce died at Dundalk in 1318 during a disastrous Irish
campaign which had seen him, for a short time at least, pronounced
High King of Ireland. Robert the Bruce did however father a son in
1324, David, who was to become David II when his father died a few
years later in 1329.
David's reign was a tormented one. A few months after his formal
coronation, in 1332, his reign was challenged. With English
support, Edward Balliol, the son of John, landed back in Scotland
and had himself declared King. Crushing defeats followed for the
Scots, first at Dupplin Moor, then at Halidon Hill, where several
of the country's leading Earls died. David was forced into exile in
France until 1341 and upon his return to Scotland was captured at
the Battle of Neville's Cross. Balliol had to give up his claim
though and David finally got to rule his kingdom upon his release
in 1357. He died in 1371 leaving Robert Stewart, now 55, as heir to
the throne.
The Stewarts were to become the next (and last) dynasty to rule
Scotland and did so until the death of Queen Anne in 1714. The
Stewarts had held Kyle Stewart since the twelfth century and had
been given Cunninghame in 1316. They now also inherited the Bruce
lands of Carrick and Kyle Regis (King's Kyle). These lands combined
to form the new region of Ayrshire.
Robert (II) had prior experience of the responsibilities he now
inherited. Before becoming king as he had been the main power in
Scotland while King David II had been held as a prisoner in
England. He was wed to an Ayrshire woman, Elizabeth Mure of
Rowallan, and they lived for most of Robert's reign at his
favourite home of Dundonald Castle where he died age
74. Their descendants went on to be monarchs
of not only Scotland, but also inherited the throne of
England, and were the first family to rule over Great
Britain.