 After James VI of Scotland came to the English throne in 1603, Colville was one of James's main supporters in the Jacobean debate on the Union.His first marriage was in 1570 to Isabel Ruthven, daughter of Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven, with whom he had five children.His eldest son, Robert, Master of Colville (d. 1614) married Christian Colville, a daughter of George Bruce of Carnock.