This change coincided with the change in government. Scotland and England ended their bitter wars when the two kingdoms were united in 1603 under one king, James VI of Scotland who became James I of the United Kingdom.

Sir John Houstoun III succeeded his father as proprietor of the family estate in 1605. During his career, he served two years as Lord Provost of the city of Glasgow, an office corresponding to mayor. He was the last country gentleman to hold that office, the growing city pride moving the town residents after that time to select one of their own number as chief magistrate.

Sir John died in 1609 after serving only four years as laird of the estate. The barony then passed to his son, Sir Ludovick, who was also a knight. The foreign sounding name, appearing for the first time in Houston chronicles, likely came from the noble family of Lennox. The second duke of Lennox, in high estate about that time, was named Ludovick.

Let us look in for an imaginary visit in the Houstoun castle about that time and see how the barons and their households lived. If we happened in at mealtime, we would be invited to eat at a long table in the great vaulted hall. As visiting relatives, we would be seated with the baron and his family near the head of the table. All the retainers would take lower seats at the same table, in order of rank. Food and drink would be