https://naheritagetrails.co.uk/heritagetrails_cumbrae_kirkton.php
The first sheriff was John Stewart, the Black Stewart, illegitimate son of Robert II. In 1385 he was made Sheriff of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae and Buteshire was thus created. He was succeeded by his son James who in turn was succeeded by his son Ninian. Ninian's son John was known to reside in the manor house of Upper Kirkton and his two sons, Patrick and John, obtained feus of the farmlands in 1566. But those Stewart families became extinct and the lands reverted to the Bute estate.
