"Walter Kennedy was born around the year 1455. He came from the Carrick district of Ayrshire which was still a Gaelic speaking area in the 16th century. He was the sixth son of Gilbert , first Lord of Kennedy of Dunure, and was thus the grandson of Sir James Kennedy and Mary, Countess of Angus, who was a daughter of Robert III. He also was the nephew of James Kennedy, bishop of St Andrews."