The Lovers

The legend is based on the true story of a pair of star-crossed lovers from the feuding families of Arnot and Balfour - Scotland‘s own Romeo and Juliet. The tale made its way into local folklore, and became the subject of a number of poems and songs.

The lovers are the son and daughter of two local lords, the son being the heir to Lord Balfour of Burleigh Castle near Milnathort, the lady, the daughter of Arnot of the Castle on the east shoulder of the Lomond Hill, now known as Arnot Tower. The lady escapes from her father’s castle at night with her lover, but is observed, pursued, overtaken and brought home.

Scotlandwell is said to have been the place of rescue. Hence it is described in a local work as the Battle of Scotland Well. It is also alluded to in a local anonymous poem - viz.

“ So sigh’d Matilda on the morn
She left gay Arnot’s happy walls,
And with her Lord was fleetly borne
To Burley’s joy-resounding halls.”

Michael Bruce's poem the Lovers is reproduced here.