Originally written for private distribution in 1954, this account of the Closeburn Kirkpatricks was, the author says,"a story that needed to be told." The Kirkpatricks of Closeburn, in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, trace their family back to Ivone, who witnessed a Charter for Robert Brus (or Bruce), first Lord of Annandale.Roger 'mak siccar ' Kirkpatrick was a close associate of the later Robert Bruce, who became King of Scotland.The family's connections extend through the Isle of Wight to France and Spain.