Mrs Macfarlane is the Scottish outlaw from 1716 who fled Edinburgh after killing a British officer.
John Cayley, born in 1682, was appointed as commissioner of Customs in Scotland after Scotland and England united to form Great Britain. Living in Cowgate, Captain Cayley was known as being 'vain' who pursued 'his irregular passions with little prudence or discretion'.
One woman who he had interest for was the young Mrs Macfarlane, daughter of a Jacobite sympathiser. It is said he praised her with gifts but one night, the young woman heard the officer had said 'nasty' things about her pregnancy that would disgrace her honour.
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It is said the Captain went to her home to apologise on Tuesday, October 2, 1716, however, what happened next isn't clear. According to some reports, the maid showed him into the drawing room where Mrs Macfarlane stood. With her husband gone, it was only the staff and they were asked to leave room.
Some sources suggest she led him into her bed chamber, while others say Cayley attempted to sexually assault her.
It's said Mrs Macfarlane held up two of her husband's pistols, prompting the soldier to say: “What, madam, d’ye design to act a comedy?”. Mrs Macfarlane replied: “He would find it a tragedy if he did not retire.”
After one shot to his wrist, the soldier drew his sword with his other hand, but before he could attack, the young woman fired again - this time, into his heart.
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She rushed to ask the staff what to do, telling them that it was self defence. Mary Liddell, one of her servants, testified and said that she saw her 'linnings [linen underclothes] abused and much ruffled, as also her gown after the same manner'.
When she showed her husband the body, he said: “Oh woman! What have you done?". He then went to seek advice and secured his wife's escape from Edinburgh.
As the news spread of the bloody scene, Mrs Macfarlane was wanted for murder, but she never turned up for the trial or was seen again.
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