Background
Alicia Cockburn was the daughter of Robert Rutherfurd of Fairnalee, Selkirkshire, and was born on October 8, 1713.
Alicia Cockburn was the daughter of Robert Rutherfurd of Fairnalee, Selkirkshire, and was born on October 8, 1713.
Robert Chambers states that the ballad was written on the occasion of a great commerical disaster which ruined the fortunes of some Selkirkshire lairds.
Later biographers, however, think it probable that it was written on the departure to London of a certain John Aikman, between whom and Alison there appears to have been an early attachment.
In the memorable year 1745 she vented her Whiggism in a squib upon Prince Charlie, and narrowly escaped being taken by the Highland guard as she was driving through Edinburgh in the family coach of the Keiths of Ravelston, with the parody in her pocket.
At her house on Castle-hill, and afterwards in Crichton Street, she received many illustrious friends, among whom were Mackenzie, Robertson, Hume, Home, Monboddo, the Keiths of Ravelston, the Balcarres family and Lady Anne Barnard, the authoress of " Auld Robin Gray. "
Alicia married an impoverished advocate, Patrick Cockburn of Ormiston in 1731.