Margaret Hogg

Margaret was a cousin of Scotts Factor William Laidlaw and imparted much of her tales and stories to Sir Walter, but was somewhat disgruntled at what was lost in his translation.

The following are Margaret's words to Sir Walter Scott, in reply to his question on whether certain stories had been previously printed.

"Oo na, na Sir. There was never ane O' my sangs prentit till ye prentit them yousell, an' ye hae spoilt them a'thegither. They war made for singing, an' no for reading; but ye hae broken the charm now, an' they'll never be sung mair. An' the worst thing of a', they're nouther right spell'd nor right setten' doun!"

Margaret Hogg (née Laidlaw) (1730–1813), was noted for collecting native Scottish ballads.