No further developments on written confirmation of the above.

Reading has thrown further light on when the gypsies were first recorded in Scotland:---see my posts under Guest, 4/1/2015 and onwards, then Gutcher, in the thread, "Origins: Help with Gypsy Davy" 1439 date for a mention.

Reading has come up with a verse I have not encountered before, can anyone tell me if this verse is in any of the collected versions?.

[ex] There is a tradition extant, that Lord Cassilis' lady, who eloped with Johnnie Faa, the gipsie laddie, had so delicate and pure a skin, that the red wine could be seen through it while she was drinking. This is embodied in a verse of the ballad:---

         "Fu white, white was her bonny neck,
            Twist wi the satin twine;
          But ruddie, ruddie grew her hawse,
            While she supp'd the bluid--red
             wine.