Such feelings are naturally tempered with thoughts that the story, though based on fact, has clearly been embellished down the years. The romantic in me, whilst succumbing to the sadness of the story, still readily accepts that parts of it cannot be true.
Imagine my surprise then when I viewed the story board set in front of the graves that are the supposed resting places of Helen and Adam.
The last sentence runs as follows:-
'The romantic story of the Ballad might be an 18th century invention, and the association of the monuments in the churchyard is questionable'.
Britain is awash with political correctness. Do we really need to take it to the realms of romance, poetry, folk-lore and legend?
Please think about it!
The White Lady of Corstorphine
By Amanda Moffet
The Lords Forrester were a principal family in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh. Their main home was Corstorphine Castle, a 14th century stronghold which, by the 18th century, was nothing but ruins, and today nothing of the castle remains but a 16th century dovecot.
Sometime during the 17th century, a James Forrester was laird at Corstorphine Castle. Forrester was a popular man, known for charm and affable nature. However, he was also known for his vices, and loose morals; most notably in regards to women and drink.
One of Forrester's lovers, and who, incidentally turned out to be his last, was Lady Christian Nimmo. Lady Christian was not only married, but was also the Laird's niece, so the affair was kept as discreet as possible.
James Forrester would usually meet his lovers at the dovecot on his grounds, and so, like normal, arranged to meet Lady Christian at their secret location. She arrived promptly, only to find no-one else around. The Lady waited for a bit, knowing full well that her lover would be at some local pub, and so sent a servant to find him.
James finally turned up drunk and in a very irritable and rude state. Inevitably a heated argument started. It is said that Forrester called Lady Christian a "whoor", making her so angry that she quickly pulled her lover's sword out of its sheath and killed him with it.
Lady Christian Nimmo was arrested, tried, and executed in 1679 for the murder of James Forrester.
At the trial the Lady claimed that the death was an accident and that she took the sword as an act of self defence, however this story was not believed and she was beheaded in Edinburgh.
On the day of the execution Lady Christian wore a snow-white hooded gown, and it is said that she is still seen to this day, wearing the same gown, haunting the dovecot in Corstorphine and forced to carry the blood-stained sword for all eternity.
Acknowledgements
List of Contributors
The following people have contributed stories to this anthology:
Donald Cuthill
Amanda Moffet
Rodger Moffet
Tom Moss