Extended struggle

“The ruined and somewhat gaunt castle of Evelick in the Braes of the Carse of Gowrie has often had the tale told of its associated 17th Century murder,” writes Donald Abbott of Invergowrie.

“Around 1680, the widower Sir Alexander Lindsay of Evelick had married widow Rachel Douglas, both having sons from their earlier marriages. The boys seemed to get on well but, when walking one day in the Den of Pitroddie, they fell out, culminating in James Douglas stabbing Thomas Lindsay in the breast with his Jockteleg or knife. An extended struggle ensued after which Lindsay died.

“James Douglas returned to Evelick with the news of his step-brother’s death. He firstly claimed that he had found Thomas Lindsay dead, but later confessed to his killing.

“He was charged, firstly in Perth, with the murder and then faced a Justiciary Court in Edinburgh in July 1682, where he was described as the son of the late William Douglas, Advocate; he was lodged in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh. Notably, locals such as Sir Patrick Threipland of Fingask and Peter Hay of Leys served on the Assize.

“James Douglas was found guilty and condemned to death by way of The Maiden, a Scottish forerunner of the guillotine.

“I have wondered often if the several workers of the Dundee Police Commissioners at Pitroddie quarry in the Den of Pitroddie about two centuries later, were aware of this murder.

“The tale gets a mention in the Friends of Perth & Kinross Archive’s booklet Curiosities of the Carse of Gowrie and in earlier publications, notably Romance in Gowrie, a 1923 publication by the Rev Adam Phillip DD.”

“I thought the Tay Bridge was looking quite spectacular in the mist, when I was cycling through Wormit,” say Eric Niven. If you have a story for Craigie email: craigie@ thecourier.co.uk