Loch Leven Castle is located on an island towards the western margin of the loch and it is most famous as the prison of Mary, Queen of Scots, (1542-87) between the Summer of 1567, following her surrender at Carberry Hill to her half-brother James Douglas (c.1516-81), the 4th Earl of Morton, and the Spring of 1568, when she escaped. Shortly after being imprisoned, Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son James VI (1566 - 1625) and Morton became Regent. Her gaoler was Sir William Douglas, who later became the 5th Earl of Morton. However, it was Sir William''s younger son who arranged her escape having fallen for the Queen.