Resources for Schools

Ada of Huntingdon, see Margaret of Huntingdon

Aitken, Margaret

died c.1597

Margaret Aitken was accused of witchcraft in about April 1597. In order to save her own life, she claimed that she could recognise witches. She was taken around the country to detect witches. However, it was discovered that if she was shown someone twice, she reached a different verdict each time. Margaret Aitken was executed in Fife around August 1597. She became known as the “great witch of Balwearie.”

(Learn more from BDSW, p.8)

Allan, Janie

1868-1968

Janie Allan was the daughter of Jane Smith, and Alexander Allan, ship owner and merchant. She was born in Glasgow. She became a socialist and a suffragette. She took part in a window-smashing raid and was sent to prison for four months in 1912. She also took part in other suffragette campaigns. She helped to fund the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and also the Women’s Freedom League (WFL). Janie Allan died in 1968.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.11)

Angus, Marion Emily

1865-1946

Marion Angus was the daughter of Mary Jessie Watson and Rev. Dr Henry Angus. She was born in Sunderland on 27 Mar 1865. Her family moved to Arbroath when she was eleven. Her father was the minister of Erskine Church, Arbroath. She moved with her mother and one sister to Aberdeen when her father died in 1902. She spent most of the rest of her life in Aberdeen. Marion Angus wrote many poems and stories for journals. Her first book of poetry was not published until 1922. It was called “The Lilt and Other Poems.” It was followed by another five books of poetry. Most of her poetry was written in Scots. Marion Angus died in Arbroath in 1946.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.14)

Anna of Denmark, Queen of Scotland and England

1574-1619

Anna was the daughter of Sophia of Mecklenburg and King Frederick II of Denmark and Norway. She married King James VI of Scotland in 1589. Anna loved music, theatre and poetry, and encouraged these at court. In 1603, James became king of England as well as of Scotland and the royal family moved to London.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.15)

Armour, Jean

1765-1834

Jean Armour was the daughter of Mary Smith, and James Armour, master builder. She was born in Mauchline, Ayr, on 25 February 1765. Her relationship with Robert Burns was a secret until she became pregnant in 1785. She and Burns entered into an irregular marriage. This meant that they declared that they were married. An irregular marriage was legal in Scots Law, but it was more difficult to prove than a publicly performed wedding. Jean Armour’s parents disapproved of Burns and sent her away to stay with relatives. She gave birth to twins on 3 September 1786. Jean Armour and Robert Burns were publicly married on 5 August 1788. Jean helped Burns’s song-writing by singing to him, and listening to his work. They had another seven children after the twins, and their last child was born on the day of Burns's funeral. After Burns’s death, Jean Armour helped keep his memory alive by welcoming visitors. She died in Dumfries on 1 April 1834.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.17)

Balfour, Alison

Died 1594

Alison Balfour was a healer who lived with her husband and children in Stenness. She was accused of being part of a plot to kill Earl Patrick Stewart of Orkney. She and her family were tortured until Alison Balfour confessed. At her trial she declared herself innocent. She was executed at Kirkwall in 1594.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.23)

Balliol, Eleanor

c.1268

Eleanor Balliol was the daughter of Dervorgilla of Galloway and John Balliol. Her elder brother, John Balliol, became King of Scotland in 1292. Eleanor Balliol married John Comyn. This marriage united the Balliol and Comyn families. Their son, John Comyn, known as 'Red Comyn', was stabbed to death by Robert Bruce.

Bane (or Clerk), Margaret

Born before 1567, died 1597

Margaret Bane was a midwife. She was accused of witchcraft in 1567, but was not tried in court. In 1597 she was accused of carrying out rituals, predicting the sex of a baby and causing the death of a man. She was tried in Aberdeen in March 1597. She was found guilty and was burned to death. Her daughter, Helen Rogie, was tried and executed for witchcraft in April 1597.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.27)

Baxter, Etheldreda (Ethel)

1883-1963

Ethel Baxter was the daughter of Elizabeth Farquhar, and Andrew Adam, ploughman. She married William A. Baxter, whose parents owned a grocery shop in Fochabers. William and Ethel Baxter opened a factory to produce tinned and bottled food. Ethel developed new recipes. Her Royal Game soup helped to make Baxter’s famous.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.32)

Begg, Isabella

1771-1858

Isabella Begg was the daughter of Agnes Broun, and William Burness, farmer. She was born on 27 July 1771, and was the youngest sister of Robert Burns. As a child, she used to sing to Burns, who was twelve years older than her. In 1793, she married John Begg, a quarrier. They had nine children, six sons and three daughters. In 1813, John Begg was thrown from his horse and died. Isabella Begg opened a school to earn money to bring up her children. In 1842, admirers of Robert Burns, set up a fund to keep her in her old age. She was also given a pension. Many people visited her to talk about her brother. She outlived him by sixty years, and died in Alloway on 4 December 1858.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.33)

Berwick Witches, see Sampson, Agnes and MacCalzean, Euphame

Billington-Greig, Teresa Mary

1876-1964

Teresa Billington-Greig was the daughter of Helen Wilson and William Billington, shipping clerk. She was born in Preston. She became a teacher and also became a member of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). She was the first suffragette to go to Holloway Prison. In 1906 she came to Scotland to work for the WSPU. She married Frederick L. Greig and the couple both adopted the surname “Billington-Greig”. She left the WSPU to start the Women’s Freedom League (WFL). She campaigned for Women’s Rights, but did not believe in violent protest. Teresa Billington-Greig died in London in 1964.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.35)

Bruce, Christian

fl.1306-1357

Christian Bruce was the sister of Robert Bruce, King Robert I of Scotland. Edward I of England was at war with Bruce, and Christian was captured at Tain in 1306, along with Isobel of Fife. She was sent to live in a nunnery in England and her husband, Sir Christopher Seton, was executed. In 1314, Christian was freed. She married Andrew Moray of Bothwell, who was a strong supporter of Bruce. In 1333, she held the castle of Kildrummy for Moray against English forces.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.47)

Bruce, Marjory

1294-c.1317

Marjory Bruce was the daughter of Robert Bruce, King Robert I of Scotland. In 1306, she was captured at Tain with Isobel of Fife. Marjory was imprisoned in the Tower of London and then in a nunnery. After the battle of Bannockburn, she was freed in exchange for English prisoners. She married Walter Stewart, and it was through this marriage that the Stewarts became the royal family. Marjory's son became Robert II.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.48)

Burges, Margaret

c1579-1629

Margaret Burges lived in Nether Cramond, Edinburgh, with her second husband, John Gillespie. She often quarrelled with her neighbours. In 1628 Elspeth Baird confessed to being a witch. She said that Margaret Burges was also a witch. Margaret Burges was tried. Her neighbours gave evidence against her. A mark on her leg was said to be the sign of a witch. . She was found guilty and sentenced to death.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.53)

Burns Women see: Armour, Jean; Begg, Isabella; Campbell, Margaret; Cunningham, Elizabeth, Countess of Glencairn; Dunlop, Frances A.; Glover, Jean; Lorimer, Jean; McLehose, Agnes

Campbell, Margaret (Mary) (Highland Mary),

1766-1786

Margaret Campbell was the daughter of Agnes Campbell, and Archibald Campbell, seaman. She was born in Auchamore, Dunoon, in March 1766. She met Robert Burns and they fell in love. They parted on 14 May 1786. According to Burns, they planned to emigrate to Jamaica together, and they parted in order to prepare for leaving Scotland. However, Margaret Campbell died of typhoid fever in Greenock later that year.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.64)

Campbell, Sarah

died 1692

Sarah Campbell was the granddaughter of Jean Campbell and Donald MacGregor of Glengyle. She was a close relative of Robert ‘Rob Roy’ MacGregor. Sarah used her mother’s surname of Campbell, as the MacGregors were declared outlaws. Sarah married Alexander (or Alasdair in Gaelic) MacDonald, the younger son of Alexander MacDonald, the chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe. Sarah was the niece of Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon. Campbell was chosen to lead the soldiers who carried out the massacre at Glencoe, This was probably because the MacDonalds would trust him as Sarah’s uncle.

Crawfurd, Helen

1877-1954

Helen Crawfurd was the daughter of Helen Kyle and William, Jack, master baker. She was born in the Gorbals, Glasgow. In 1898 she married Rev Alexander M. Crawfurd. Helen Crawfurd joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1910. She took part in window-breaking campaigns, and was arrested and imprisoned five times. She went on hunger strike three times. Helen Crawfurd opposed war and left the WSPU in 1914 because of their support for the First World War. She joined the Independent Labour Party in 1914. She campaigned for peace during the War. In 1921 she joined the Communist Party. She supported anti-poverty and peace causes for the rest of her life. Helen Crawfurd died in Dunoon in 1954.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.84)

Cunningham, Elizabeth Countess of Glencairn

1724-1801

Elizabeth Cunningham was the daughter of Isabella Maguire, and Hugh Maguire, carpenter and fiddler. She was born in Ayrshire in 1724. Her mother’s cousin, James Macrae, made his fortune in India. When he returned to Scotland he paid for a new home for the Maguire family. He also paid for the children’s education. Elizabeth married William Cunningham, the Earl of Glencairn. She never forgot her childhood poverty, and set up a school to teach girls to spin. She helped Robert Burns by introducing him to influential people in Edinburgh. She also bought 124 copies of his book, and encouraged other people to buy it. She died in Edinburgh on 24 June 1801.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.88)

Der-Ilei

fl.685

Der-Ilei was a Pictish queen who lived around 685. She had two known husbands, Dagart, who died in 685, and Drostan. Two of Der-Ilei's sons became kings. Bridei reigned from 697 to 706 and Naiton reigned from 706 to 724.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.94)

Drummond, Flora McKinnon

1878-1949

Flora Drummond was the daughter of Sarah Cook, and Francis Gibson, cashier. She grew up in Arran. She married Joseph Drummond in 1898 and moved to Manchester. She joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1905. She helped organise the WSPU in London and in Glasgow. She was especially good at organising processions and pageants. Flora Drummond often led processions on horseback, including the procession through Edinburgh in October 1909. Although Flora Drummond was less than 5ft 2in tall (158 cm) she looked so impressive leading processions, dressed in a uniform, that she was nicknamed “The General.” She was sent to prison nine times. She remained active in several women’s organisations for the rest of her life. Flora Drummond died in 1949.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.102)

Dunlop, Frances Anna

1730-1815

Frances Dunlop was the daughter of Lady Eleanor Agnew, and Sir Thomas Wallace, advocate. She was born at Craigie House near Ayr, 16 April 1730. She married John Dunlop in 1748 and had thirteen children. Her husband died in 1785. She read Robert Burns’s poem‚ ‘The Cotter’s Saturday Night’ and ordered six copies of his book, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, from him. After that, they wrote to one another and met five times. However, they disagreed on political matters. After Burns died, Frances Dunlop and one of her daughters, Eleanor Perochon, were very kind to his widow, Jean Armour. In 1817, Burns’s body was moved from his grave to a specially built mausoleum. Eleanor Perochon wanted to be buried in Burns’s original grave, and Jean Armour agreed. Frances Dunlop died in 1815, and Eleanor Perochon in 1825.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.108)

Fife, Isobel Countess of Buchan

c.1285-c.1314

Isobel of Fife was the daughter of Anna, who may have been the daughter of Sir Alan Durward, and Colban, Earl of Fife. Isobel of Fife’s family had the right to crown the kings of Scotland. In 1306, she crowned Robert the Bruce, King Robert I, at Scone, although her husband, John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, did not support Bruce. Isobel then fled north to escape from Edward I of England, who was at war with Bruce. She was captured at Tain with Bruce’s wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, and his daughter, Marjory Bruce. Isobel was imprisoned in a cage that hung over the walls of Berwick Castle. In 1310, she was allowed to live in the Carmelite convent in Berwick. The English king, now Edward II, thought Isobel was too dangerous to be free, so she spent the rest of her life under the guard, or custody, of an English relative of her husband.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.118)

Finnie, Agnes

Died 1645

Agnes Finnie was a shopkeeper. She lived in Potterrow, Edinburgh. She frequently argued with her customers and neighbours. When she was angry she would curse people. Agnes Finnie was arrested in June 1644. Her house was searched for wax images, or other evidence of witchcraft. Nothing was found. The only evidence against her was her violent language, such as “The devil blow you blind!” She was found guilty of witchcraft and executed in Edinburgh on 6 March 1645.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.120)

Fleming, Marjory

1803-1811

Marjory Fleming was the daughter of Isabella Rae and James Fleming. She was born in Kirkcaldy. In 1809 she went to stay with her aunt’s family in Edinburgh. She was taught by her cousin, Isabella Keith. She enjoyed writing about her friends, her behaviour and her lessons. Marjorie went back to live with her family in Kirkcaldy in July 1811 and died in December 1811, aged eight. Her family kept everything she had written. Some of her writings were published in 1858, and since then many people have written about this clever little girl. She is sometimes referred to as “Pet Marjorie.”

(Learn more from BDSW, p.121)

Fraser, Helen Miller

1881-1979

Helen Fraser was the daughter of Christiana Sutherland, and James Fraser, tailor’s cutter and clothing manufacturer. She became a suffragette in 1906. In 1907 she spoke at meetings all over Scotland. She left the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1908 because she objected to the use of violence. She joined the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) and continued to campaign. Helen Fraser emigrated to Australia in 1938 and died there in 1979.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.127)

Galloway, Dervorgilla of, (Dervorgilla Balliol)

c.1213-1290

Dervorgilla's mother, Margaret of Huntingdon, was the daughter of David, Earl of Huntingdon, grandson of King David I of Scotland. Her father was Alan, Lord of Galloway. Dervorgilla and her sisters inherited great wealth when their father died. She married John Balliol, Lord of Barnard Castle in Teesdale, and their son, another John Balliol, became King of Scotland. He reigned from 1292 to 1296. Dervorgilla was a religious woman. She used some of her wealth to found Sweetheart Abbey, Dumfries, and Balliol College, Oxford.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.130)

Gilchrist, Marion

1864-1952

Marion Gilchrist was the daughter of Margaret Williamson, and William Gilchrist, farmer. She left school to work on the family farm. She studied in her spare time. She went to University to study medicine as soon as it was possible for a woman to do so. In 1894 she and Alice Cumming became the first women in Scotland to gain the university medical qualification MBChB. Marion Gilchrist specialised in ophthalmology (diseases and surgery of the eyes.) She was a keen supporter of the women’s suffrage movement, and joined the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1907. Marion Gilchrist died in 1952.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.135)

Glover, Jean

1758-c.1801

Jean Glover was the daughter of Jean Thomson, and James Glover, weaver. She was born in Townhead, Kilmarnock, on 31 October 1758. As a child, she enjoyed attending fairs and races. She joined a travelling show as an actor and singer and married the leader of the group, Mr Richard. Robert Burns heard her singing ‘Ower the Muir Amang the Heather’ and wrote the song down. Jean Glover died while she was on tour in Ireland in or after 1801.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.137)

Gowdie, Isobel

fl. 1662

Isobel Gowdie lived in Auldearn. She confessed to witchcraft. At her trial it was said that she confessed without being tortured. However, it is possible that she was kept awake for days while being questioned. She claimed to have feasted with other witches, ridden through the air, and met fairies and elves. It is not known what happened to her after her trial.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.141)

Haining, Jane Mathison

1879-1944

Jane Haining was the daughter of Jane Mathison, and Thomas Haining, farmer. She was born in Dunscore, Dumfriesshire. She became a missionary. In 1932 she became Matron of the Jewish Mission Girls’ Home in Budapest. Jane Haining was on leave in Scotland when the Second World War broke out. She immediately returned to Hungary, although travel across Europe was very difficult. She was determined to remain in Hungary to care for the children. Hungary was invaded by Germany and her care for Jewish children put her in great danger. She was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Auschwitz Concentration camp in April 1944. She died at Auschwitz.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.153)

Horne, Janet

Died 1722 or 1727

Janet Horne and her daughter were accused of witchcraft and condemned to die. Her daughter escaped, but Janet Horne was burnt to death. There are no records of the trial. All the stories about Janet Horne were written later and may be invented. It is not even known if Janet Horne was her real name. There is a stone in Dornoch which allegedly marks the place where she was burnt. Janet Horne was the last witch to be burnt in Scotland.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.170)

Inglis, Elsie Maude

1864-1917

Elsie Inglis was the daughter of Harriet Thompson and John Forbes Inglis. She was brought up in India until her family moved to Edinburgh in 1876. She began her study of medicine in 1886. She gained the Triple Qualification of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 1892. She held various medical posts including directing the Bruntsfield Hospital for Women and Children in Edinburgh. She also worked for the women’s suffrage campaign. In 1915, she created the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Home and Foreign Service. Hospitals were set up in France, Greece and Serbia to nurse wounded soldiers. The work was difficult and dangerous, and Elsie Inglis became ill in 1917. She died in 1917 in Newcastle upon Tyne, on her way back to Edinburgh.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.177)

Isabella of Huntingdon, see Margaret of Huntingdon

Isabella of Scotland, Countess of Norfolk, see Margaret of Scotland, Countess of Kent

c.1209-1253

Jaffray, Grissel

Died 1669

Grissel Jaffray was married to James Butchart, maltman and burgess of Dundee. She was tried for witchcraft on 11 Nov 1669 and executed later that month. She named Margaret Coul and several other women as witches. They were banished in 1670.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.182)

Joan Beaufort, Queen of Scotland

c.1404-1445

Joan was the daughter of Margaret Holland and John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset. She married King James I of Scotland in 1424. One of their eight children became King James II of Scotland. King James I died in 1437 and Joan later married James Stewart of Lorne.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.184)

Joan of England, Queen of Scotland

1210-1238

Joan was the daughter of Isabella of Angoulême (now part of France) and King John I of England. She married King Alexander II of Scotland in 1221. They had no children.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.185)

Joan 'of the Tower', Queen of Scotland

1322-1362

Joan was the daughter of Isabella of France and King Edward II of England. She married King David II of Scotland in 1328 as part of a peace treaty between Scotland and England. They had no children.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.248)

Keiller, Janet

c.1737-1813

Janet Keiller was born in Dundee. She married to John Keiller in 1762. They had eight children. Janet Keiller had a shop in Dundee where she sold cakes, biscuits, jams and sweets. She developed a new recipe for marmalade which was very popular. Her family became famous for making marmalade. Janet Keiller died in Dundee in 1813.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.190)

Kesson, Jessie

1916-1994

Jessie Kesson was the daughter of Elizabeth McDonald, who was not married. She had a very hard childhood. She was taken away from her mother and sent to an orphanage near Aberdeen. Jessie Kesson was clever, but was not allowed to go to university. She had several jobs, but didn’t enjoy them. In 1937 she married Johnnie Kesson. They had two children. Johnnie Kesson was not strong and Jessie had to work very hard to support the family. She started writing plays and novels, based on her own life. Some of her stories have been made into films. Jessie Kesson died in London in 1994.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.195)

Leslie, Beatrix

c.1577-1661

Beatrix Leslie was a midwife. She was also an argumentative woman who quarrelled with her neighbours. In 1661, aged 84, she was accused of causing the collapse of a coal pit through witchcraft. She was subjected to the ordeal of “witch-pricking” which meant that a long pin was stuck into her body to try to find a witches mark. She was also subject to “bierricht” which meant that she had to touch the dead body of her alleged victim. If the body bled, it meant that she was guilty. Beatrix Leslie confessed that she had met the Devil and agreed to be his servant. She was found guilty of witchcraft. She was strangled and burned on 3 Sept 1661.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.204)

Lorimer, Jean (‘Chloris’)

1775-1831

Jean Lorimer was the daughter of Agnes Carson, and William Lorimer, farmer. She was born in Craigieburn, Moffat, in 1775. In 1790, Jean Lorimer’s family rented Kemys Hall, two miles from Robert Burns’s farm. The Lorimer and the Burns families became friendly. In 1793, Jean Lorimer eloped with Andrew Whelpdale and they married at Gretna Green. A few weeks later, Whelpdale deserted her. He left Scotland to avoid paying his debts. Jean Lorimer returned to live with her father. After her father’s death in 1808, Jean Lorimer worked as a seamstress and a governess in the north of England. She moved to Edinburgh around 1816. Burns wrote several poems about Jean Lorimer, including ‘The Lassie wi’ the lint-white Locks’. In 1825, an Edinburgh newspaper stated that Jean Lorimer had been a friend of Robert Burns. An admirer of Burns offered her the job of housekeeper. Many people visited her to talk about Burns. Jean Lorimer died in Edinburgh on 11 September 1831.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.209)

Lumsden, Louisa Innes

1840-1935

Louisa Lumsden was the daughter of Jane Forbes of Echt, and Clements Lumsden, Aberdeen advocate. She became a tutor at Girton College, Cambridge in 1873 and then a tutor at Cheltenham Ladies College in 1876. In 1877 she became the first headmistress at St Leonards School in St Andrews. From 1884 to 1894 she lived in her family home in Aberdeenshire. In 1894 she became the first Warden of University Hall for Women, St Andrews. She resigned in 1900. She campaigned for women’s suffrage throughout Scotland. Louisa Lumsden died in 1935.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.212)

MacCalzean, Euphame

born before 1558, died 1591

Euphame was the daughter of Thomas MacCalzean, Lord Cliftonhall, who was a lawyer. She married Patrick MoscroIt and it appears that the couple used Euphame's surname of MacCalzean after their marriage. She was named as a witch by Agnes Sampson, tried and found guilty of witchcraft. She was burned to death in Edinburgh in 1591.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.216)

MacDonnell, NicGilleasbuig

died 1692

NicGilleasbuig was a member of the family of the MacDonnells of Keppoch. She married Alexander (Alasdair in Gaelic) MacDonald, 12th chief of the MacDonalds of Glencoe. They had two sons and a daughter. During the massacre of Glencoe her husband was shot in front of her, and she was left to die in the snow outside their home.

MacKay, Betsy

1796-1896

Betsy MacKay was the daughter of Catherine MacKay and Angus MacKay, crofters. She married John MacDonald in 1849. She was widowed before 1871. She gave evidence to the Napier Commission in 1884, when she was 86. She was described at that time as a 'drover'. A drover was someone who took cattle to market, sometimes over a long distance. It is unlikely that she was still working as a drover at the age of 86! She died in 1896, aged 99, at Kirtomy. Her death certificate described her as a pauper (a poor person), formerly a crofter.

Macmillan, Chrystal Jessie

1872-1937

Chrystal Macmillan was the daughter of Jessie Chrystal Finlayson and John Macmillan, tea merchant. She was born in Edinburgh. In 1892, she was one of the first women to go to the University of Edinburgh. At that time, Universities elected four MPs. Chrystal Macmillan argued, unsuccessfully, that women at University should be allowed to vote for these MPs. During the First World War she campaigned for peace. After the war she became a lawyer. Chrystal Macmillan died in 1937.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.239)

Madeleine of France

1520-1537

Madeleine of France was the daughter of Claude of France and King Francis I of France. She married King James V of Scotland in January 1537. However, Madeleine was not strong, and she died a few months later in July, aged 16, after only six weeks in Scotland.

Margaret (c.1180-1212), Isabella (1199-1251) and Ada of Huntingdon

Margaret, Isabella and Ada were the daughters of David of Huntingdon and Maude of Chester. Their father was the grandson of King David I of Scotland. After the death of Margaret, 'Maid of Norway', several men claimed the throne of Scotland. Each was descended from one of the daughters of David of Huntingdon. John Balliol, who became King of Scotland in 1292, was the grandson of Margaret of Huntingdon. Robert Bruce, who became King of Scotland in 1306, was the grandson of Isabella of Huntingdon.

Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland

c.1457-1486

Margaret was the daughter of Dorothea of Brandenburg and King Christian I of Denmark. She married King James III of Scotland in 1469. The Orkney and Shetland Isles belonged to Denmark, and were given to Scotland as Margaret's dowry. (A dowry is money or property given by a bride's family on her marriage.)

(Learn more from BDSW, p.249)

Margaret of England, Queen of Scotland

1240-1275

Margaret was the daughter of Eleanor of Provence (an area of France) and King Henry III of England. She married King Alexander III of Scotland in 1251. They had one daughter and two sons. Both sons died young. Their daughter, Margaret, married the King of Norway and had a daughter, Margaret, 'Maid of Norway'.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.185)

Margaret of Scotland Queen of Norway

1261-1283

Margaret was the daughter of King Alexander III and Margaret of England. She married King Erik II of Norway in 1281. She had one daughter, Margaret, 'Maid of Norway'. She died when she was 22 years old.

Margaret of Scotland, Countess of Kent (c.1195-1259) Isabella of Scotland, Countess of Norfolk (fl. 1209-1253) Margaret of Scotland, the younger (Marjory), Countess of Pembroke (c.1214-1244)

Margaret, Isabella and Marjory were the daughters of Ermengarde de Beaumont and King William ‘the Lion’ of Scotland. Their father hoped that they would marry English princes, but they all married English earls. Their mother was buried at Balmerino Abbey, Fife.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.250)

Margaret Stewart, Dauphine of France

1424-1445

Margaret was the eldest daughter of King James I of Scotland and Joan Beaufort. She married the Dauphin, Louis of France, in 1436, before her twelfth birthday. (The Dauphin was the eldest son of the French king.) She died before her husband became King of France.

Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland

1489-1541

Margaret was the daughter of Elizabeth of York and King Henry VII of England. She married King James IV of Scotland in 1503. The marriage was intended to maintain peace between Scotland and England. In 1509, Margaret's brother became King Henry VIII of England. He attacked France, which was Scotland's ally. Scotland went to France's aid by attacking England. As a result, James IV was killed at the battle of Flodden in 1513. After James's death, Margaret ruled Scotland as regent for her baby son, King James V. She stopped being regent when she remarried in 1514.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.252)

Margaret, Saint, Queen of Scotland

c.1046-1093

Margaret was probably born in Hungary. She married King Malcolm III of Scotland in 1070 or 1071. They had at least eight children. Three of her sons became kings of Scotland and one of her daughters, Matilda (Edith), married Henry I and became queen of England. Queen Margaret was a very religious woman. She paid for a free ferry across the Firth of Forth for pilgrims going to St Andrews. Margaret died soon after hearing that her husband and eldest son had been killed in an ambush. She was later made a saint and her remains lie in Dunfermline Abbey, Fife.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.250)

Margaret, 'Maid of Norway', Queen-designate of Scots

c.1282-1290

Margaret was the granddaughter of Alexander III, King of Scotland. She was the only direct heir to the Scottish throne. Her mother, also named Margaret, was Alexander's daughter. Her mother married King Eric II of Norway, so Margaret grew up in Norway. Margaret was to marry Edward, the son of King Edward I of England, but she died in Orkney on the journey to Scotland from Norway.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.249)

Marie de Coucy

c.1218-1285

Marie de Coucy was born in Picardy (a part of France). She married King Alexander II of Scotland in 1239. She was his second wife. Their son became King Alexander III of Scotland. After Alexander II died in 1249, Marie returned to Picardy, though she did visit Scotland from time to time.

Marjory, Countess of Buchan

c.1212

Marjory was the daughter of Fergus, Earl of Buchan. She married William Comyn. When her father died, she inherited the title Countess of Buchan and her husband became Earl of Buchan.

Martin, Catherine Edith MacAuley

1847-1937

Catherine Martin was the daughter of Janet Mackinnon and Samuel Nicholson Mackay, crofters. The Mackay family emigrated from Skye to South Australia in 1855. When she grew up, Catherine ran a school with her sisters and published verse and short stories. She moved to Adelaide, where she worked as a clerk and then as a writer. She married Frederick Martin in 1882. Her most famous book is An Australian Girl, which was published in 1890.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.255)

Mary of Guelders, Queen of Scotland

c.1433-1463

Mary was the eldest daughter of Catherine of Cleves and Arnold, Duke of Guelders (an area now mostly in The Netherlands). She married King James II of Scotland in 1449. They had eight children. After James II died in 1460, Mary helped to rule Scotland, as her son, King James III, was still a boy when he became king. Mary died in 1463. Mary was responsible for several building projects - a castle at Ravenscraig, a hospital and church at Fail, Ayrshire, and Holy Trinity church and hospital in Edinburgh.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.255)

Mary of Guise, Queen of Scotland

1515-1560

Mary was the daughter of Antoinette de Bourbon and Claude, Duc de Guise. (Guise is in northern France.) She married King James V of Scotland in 1538. They had two sons and a daughter, but both sons died young. James V died in 1542. Mary helped to rule Scotland while her daughter, Mary, who later became Queen of Scots, was a child.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.256)

Mary, Queen of Scots

1542-1587

Mary was the daughter of Mary of Guise and King James V of Scotland. She became Queen of Scotland when she was only a week old. She went to France to live when she was six, and married the Dauphin (the heir to the throne) of France in 1558. She became queen of France in 1559. Her husband died in 1560, and Mary returned to Scotland in 1561. In 1565, she married her cousin, Henry, Lord Darnley, and they had a son, James. Lord Darnley was murdered in 1567.Mary's third husband was the Earl of Bothwell. This marriage was not popular in Scotland and there was an uprising. Mary was deposed as queen and imprisoned in Lochleven castle. She escaped and gathered supporters, but was defeated at the Battle of Langside. She then went to England in the hope that Queen Elizabeth I (her second cousin) would support her. However, Elizabeth saw Mary as a rival for the throne of England, and kept her under house arrest for many years. Eventually, Elizabeth suspected Mary of plotting against her and ordered her execution. Mary was beheaded in 1587.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.257)

McGregor, Jessie McLaren

1863-1906

Jessie M. McGregor started her medical studies with Sophia Jex-Blake in 1888. She gained the Triple Qualification of the Royal College of Physicians in 1892. She graduated MBChB from the University of Edinburgh in 1896 and returned to Edinburgh to gain her MD in 1899. She was the first woman to gain the degree of MD from the University of Edinburgh. She worked as a doctor in hospitals in Edinburgh and went into private practice with Elsie Inglis. She was elected a Fellow of the Edinburgh Obstetrical Society in 1901 and published a book on the pathology of the endometrium in 1905. In 1906, while visiting her sister in America, she contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever and died.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.178)

McLehose, Agnes (‘Clarinda’)

1758-1841

Agnes McLehose was the daughter of Christian McLaurin, and Andrew Craig, surgeon. She was born in Glasgow on 26 April 1758. She married a solicitor, James McLehose in 1776. They had four sons, but the marriage was not happy. James McLehose was a violent drunk. Agnes McLehose left him and returned to live with her father. Agnes McLehose met Robert Burns at a party in Edinburgh On 4 December 1787. They agreed to meet again, but Burns fell from a carriage and injured his knee. He was unable to leave his house until the injury healed. During this time he started to write to Agnes McLehose, whom he called ‘Clarinda’. He signed his letters using the name ‘Sylvander’. In 1791, Agnes McLehose travelled to Jamaica, where her husband was living. Robert Burns wrote the song ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ about their parting. Agnes McLehose returned to Scotland without her husband. She did not meet Burns again. She died in Edinburgh on 22 October 1841.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.237)

Munro, Anna Gillies Macdonald

1881-1962

Anna Munro was the daughter of Margaret Ann MacVean and Evan Munro. She was born in Glasgow and grew up in Edinburgh, where the poverty she saw in the Cowgate made her a life-long socialist. She joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1906, but then moved to the Women's Freedom League (WFL). In 1908, she was imprisoned for six weeks for demonstrating outside the house of the Secretary of State for War. In 1913, she married Sydney Ashman. They had two children. She continued to campaign for women's rights, and remained a member of the WFL until it disbanded in 1961.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.275)

Sampson, Agnes

died 1591

Agnes Sampson was a widow who was well known as a healer. In 1590, she was suspected of witchcraft and arrested. She was tortured and confessed to various actions, including raising storms to prevent the voyage of Anna of Denmark to Scotland. Agnes was tried and found guilty of witchcraft. She was strangled and burned in Edinburgh in 1591.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.311)

Slessor, Mary Mitchell

1848-1915

Mary Slessor was the daughter of Mary Mitchell, weaver, and Robert Slessor, shoemaker. She was born in Aberdeen. The family moved to Dundee when Mary was eleven. Mary became a half-timer in Baxter’s Mills. School was compulsory until the age of twelve, but younger children were allowed to work and attend school in the evenings. This is what being a “half-timer” meant. From the age of fourteen she worked for twelve hours a day in the mill. In 1876 she became a missionary and travelled to Calabar in Nigeria where she worked for the rest of her life. She founded churches, schools, and settlements which provided training in industry and farming. She adopted twins who had been rejected by their parents. Mary Slessor’s picture is on the Clydesdale Bank £10.00 note.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.327)

Stewart, Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, Electress Palatine

1596-1662

Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of Anna of Denmark and King James VI of Scotland. She was born in Scotland, but moved with her parents to England when James became King of England in 1603. In 1613, she married Frederick V, the Elector of the Palatinate (part of what is now Germany). In 1619, she and Frederick became Queen and King of Bohemia. However, their reign lasted only one year before they were overthrown. The Palatinate was invaded, and Elizabeth and Frederick spent the rest of their lives in exile in The Hague. Elizabeth was the grandmother of George I of Great Britain.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.338)

Suffragette Women: Allan, Janie; Billington-Greig, Teresa Mary

Suffragette women; Allan, Janie; Billington-Greig, Theresa; Crawfurd, Helen; Drummond, Flora; Fraser, Helen; Gilchrist, Marion; Inglis, Elsie; Lumsden, Louisa; Macmillan, Chrystal; Munro, Anna

By location Aberdeen – see Lumsden, Louisa; Arran – see Drummond, Flora; Dunfermline – see Munro, Anna; Edinburgh – see Inglis, Elsie; Macmillan, Chrystal; Munro, Anna; Glasgow – see Allan, Janie; Billington-Greig, Theresa; Crawfurd, Helen; Fraser, Helen; Gilchrist, Marion; St Andrews – see Lumsden, Louisa.

Sutherland, Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland

1765-1839

Elizabeth was the daughter of Mary Maxwell and William, Earl of Sutherland. She married George Granville Leveson-Gower in 1785. They had eight children. To increase the profits from her large estate in Sutherland, the Countess replaced her tenants with sheep farmers. This involved large-scale clearance of families from Sutherland. Many of the families were evicted in a cruel manner, including burning their houses to prevent them from returning.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.348)

Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria), Queen and Empress

1819-1901

Victoria was the daughter of Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, the fourth son of George III. She inherited the throne when her uncle, William IV, died in 1837. In 1840, she married her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg. They had nine children. In 1848, they bought the Balmoral estate and rebuilt Balmoral Castle. Prince Albert died in 1861. Queen Victoria spent part of every year at Balmoral until her death in 1901.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.360)

Watt, Christian

1833-1923

Christian Watt was the daughter of Helen Noble, fishwife, and James Watt, fisherman. She started work at the age of eight, and went to school in her time off. Christian Watt married James Sim, who was a fisherman in 1858 and they had ten children. During her life, many of her relatives died at sea whilst fishing. In 1877, both her husband and one of her sons were drowned. Christian Watt had a mental breakdown and went to Aberdeen Royal Mental Asylum at Cornhill to recover. However, when she returned home she could not find work. She had another breakdown and spent the rest of her life in Cornhill. There she wrote the story of her life. She wrote about her family, her community and the ways in which life had changed during her lifetime. Christian Watt died in 1923, aged ninety.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.371)

Witches – see Aitken, Margaret; Balfour, Alison; Bane, Margaret; Burges, Margaret; Finnie, Agnes; Gowdie, Isobel; Horne, Janet; Jaffray, Grissel; Leslie, Beatrix; McCalzean, Euphame; Sampson, Agnes; Wright, Bessie; Young, Issobel.

By location: Aberdeenshire – see Bane, Margaret; Dundee – see Jaffray, Grissel; East Lothian – see Young, Issobel; Edinburgh – see Burges, Margaret; Finnie, Agnes; Fife – see Aitken, Margaret; Midlothian – see Leslie, Beatrix; Moray – see Gowdie, Isobel; North Berwick – see McCalzean, Euphame; Sampson, Agnes; Orkney – see Balfour, Alison; Perthshire – see Wright, Bessie; Sutherland- see Horne, Janet

Wright, Bessie

fl. 1611-1628

Bessie Wright was a healer who lived in Scone, Perthshire. She was investigated for witchcraft in 1611, 1626 and 1628. She claimed to have inherited an ancient “medical book” from her father. She could not read it, but her son could. In 1611 she was ordered to hand this book over to the church. In 1626 she was told to stop offering healing advice. In 1628 she was imprisoned for continuing to give medical advice. She was released after her son paid £1,000 bail.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.380)

Wright, Frances

1795-1852

Frances (Fanny) Wright was the daughter of Camilla Campbell and James Wright. Born in Dundee, her parents died when she was aged three and she and her sister, Camilla, were raised by their great-aunt Agnes Millar and her husband, James Mylne, Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University. Fanny Wright educated herself and wrote plays and articles. She travelled widely, to America, France and Haiti. She opposed slavery and campaigned for the abolition of slavery and the rights of women. She died in Cincinnati, USA.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.381)

Yolanda de Dreux

c.1263-1330

Yolanda was the daughter of Robert IV, Count of Dreux (in France), and Beatrix of Montfort. She inherited the title of Countess of Montfort from her mother. Yolanda became the second wife of King Alexander III of Scotland. They married in 1285, but he died the following year. In 1292, she married her second husband, Arthur II de Bretagne. They had at least six children.

Young, Issobel

c.1565 -1629

Issobel Young was married to George Smith. They farmed at Dunbar. Issobel Young often became angry with her neighbours. She was first accused of witchcraft in 1619 but was not tried until 1629. Her husband spoke against her at the trial, but three of her sons spoke for her. Issobel Young said that she was not a witch. She said that the threats she had made to her neighbours were made in anger. She was found not guilty of most of the charges against her, but guilty of one charge. She was strangled and burned in Edinburgh in February 1629.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.383)

Young, Mary Helen

1883-1945

Mary Young was the daughter of Elizabeth Ann Burnett, and Alexander Young, grocer’s clerk. She was born in Aberdeen, but grew up in Edinburgh. She became a nurse and went to work in France. During the First World War she volunteered to work in the British Army zone in France. After the War she continued to work in France. She often visited her family in Scotland. She chose to remain in Paris during the Second World War. Mary Young helped the Resistance by harbouring resistance organisers sent from London. She also provided a base for radio transmissions. She was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943, on suspicion of helping British prisoners to escape. Mary Young was sent to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, where she died, probably on 14 March 1945.

(Learn more from BDSW, p.383)

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