Background
His first marriage was in 1670 to the Lady Barbara Erskine, daughter of John Erskine, 21st Earl of March and Jean Mackenzie.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
James Douglas
Edit ProfileCareer
The story of the end of the marriage between James Douglas and Barbara Erskine is immortalized in the popular ballad Waly Waly, which is known by many alternative titles (eg Jamie Douglas, When Cockleshells Turn Silver Bells, Water Is Wide) with many alternative lyrics and melodies. If the lyrics are to be believed, in 1681 a rumor apparently was put to Douglas by Lowrie of Blackwood that Erskine had been sleeping with another man, and Douglas promptly dropped her. Her father took her home and she never remarried.
