Nairne, Caroline
1766-1845
Caroline Oliphant was born in Gask in Perthshire. She became Lady Nairne when her husband, Major William Nairne, was raised to the peerage in 1824. After his death she began her travels on the continent. Her father was a Jacobite and many of the songs she wrote to the traditional tunes she collected reflect her sympathies. 'Will ye no' come back again?' was written for the exiled Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Other works include 'The Auld Hoose' and 'The Rowan Tree'. Because song writing was not considered a suitable occupation for a person of her social standing she adopted the pseudonym Mrs Bogan of Bogan, and much of her work was published in 'The Scottish Minstrel' (1821-24). Her later travels in Europe were for the benefit of her sick son, who died in 1837. After her own death much of Caroline's verse was published by her sister in 'Lays of Strathearn'.
Further reading: Songs by Lady Nairne (1766-1845), (Kirkcaldy, 1996)
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