Mindful of the fate of his eldest son, in 1406 Robert attempts to smuggle his younger son James out of the country by sea. But calamity strikes and young James (who is 12) gets stuck on the Bass Rock for several miserable months before boarding a ship which is then hijacked by English pirates. Nae luck! The Prince of Scotland is handed over as a prisoner to Henry IV and, shortly afterwards, Robert III dies. Young King James I is a prisoner of a hostile foreign power and Robert, Duke of Albany, rules Scotland in his absence. The Albany Stewarts have never been more powerful.

But the political landscape is never static. Wars can eliminate key players and allegiances can change. When James I is released and returns to Scotland, will he gun for the family that let him be a prisoner for 18 years and murdered his brother? Which branch of the Stewart dynasty will emerge triumphant?

Presenters: Len Pennie and Susan Morrison