Lament for the Auld house of Spottiswoode, by Alicia Spottiswoode

Autograph manuscript of an early unpublished poem In the poem, The Lament of the Auld House of Spottiswood ca. 1833.

The manuscript has been folded and sealed for delivery and bears the address, John Spottiswood Esquire, Spottiswood, Lauder.

Alicia Ann Spottiswoode (Alicia Scott) was born at Spottiswoode House in the Borders (formerly Berwickshire) on 24 June 1810. She was a Scottish songwriter and composer known chiefly for the tune, Annie Laurie, to which the words of a 17th-century poet, William Douglas, were set. She was the oldest daughter of John Spottiswoode of Berwickshire and his wife Helen Wauchope of Niddrie-Mains. On 16 March 1836 she married Lord John Douglas Scott, a younger son of the 4th Duke of Buccleuch, and consequently is alternatively known by her courtesy title of Lady John Scott. Lord Scott died in 1860. Lady Scott was a champion of traditional Scots language, history and culture, her motto being 'Haud [hold] fast by the past'. Annie Laurie was published in 1838. Scott died at Spottiswoode on 12 March 1900.

Alicia's family home, Spottiswoode House, underwent major rebuilding in 1832-34, and in her poem or song The Lament of the Auld House of Spottiswood, the house humourously chides the laird for desecrating his family's childhood memories.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Material acquired March 2013. Accession no: E2013.46.

Catalogued by Graeme D. Eddie 02 August 2013