Retired economics lecturer, Colin McAllister, of Alison's Close, worked with the Marie Stuart Society to produce a commemorative plaque to Marie of Guise, the mother of Mary Queen of Scots at the spot where she landed near Balcomie Castle, Crail, on June 16, in 1538.

The plaque, erected at a special ceremony at Crail recently, states that Marie de Guise-Lorraine's captain had mistaken the East Neuk stronghold for St Andrews Castle.

After spending the night there, she was escorted to St Andrews by a procession of courtiers led by King James V, her second husband.

There, the future mother of Queen Mary was greeted by a pageant specially composed by Sir David Lindsay, Lord Lyon King of Arms, and the following morning her proxy marriage was confirmed.

Six days after his daughter, Mary (later Queen of Scots) was born, James V died at Falkland Palace. Mary of Guise was Queen Regent from 1554 until her death in 1560.

Also commemorated at the same time was the killing of King Constantine 1, in 876, said by local tradition to have taken place in the cave that took his name.

The penultimate King of the Picts, his battles prevented the Scandinavians from establishing a base on the east coast of Scotland. He was given the title duan Albanach (Song of the Scots) as a tribute to his heroism.

Mr McAllister (66) commissioned and paid for the plaque, boosted by financial support from Crail Golfing Society of which he is a member.
He is also a member of St Andrews Preservation Trust and the Marie Stuart Society.