in the act of 1621 for the plantation of new kirks, mention is made of burnet of leys having petitioned for the erection of a new church at fetteresso, the parish in which his lands and castle of muchalls lay, the castle being begun by his father was completed by sir thomas in 1627. the religious strife of the 1620s found sir thomas a decided opponent of the episcopalian court party and he became a supporter of the solemn league and covenant.