Old Photograph Fairnilee House Scotland

Old photograph of Fairnilee House located three miles South West of Galashiels, Scottish Borders of Scotland. Alison Cockburn was born on 8 October 1712 at Fairnilee House. In 1765 she published her lyrics to the traditional Border Ballad the Flowers of the Forest. She was the daughter of Robert Rutherfurd of Fairnalee. She married an impoverished advocate, Patrick Cockburn of Ormiston in 1731. Unable to afford a home of their own they lived for 4 years in the house of her elderly father in law, " an old Presbyterian of the deepest dye " who condemned as ungodly cards, plays, and dancing. On the death of the old man they moved to Edinburgh and she began to mix in society where her liveliness and wit made her welcome in spite of her relatively lowly status. Her husband died on 29 April 1753, and left her a small income. She continued to mix in artistic and intellectual circles from her home in Bristo Street, on Castlehill, Edinburgh. In 1765 she published her lyrics to the traditional Border Ballad the Flowers of the Forest. She died on 22 November 1794. She is buried in the kirkyard of The Chapel of Ease of Buccleuch Parish Church in Edinburgh.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.