With a little research I should be able to provide an approximate date for the burning of Auchruglen Castle.

The Crawfords of Loudon, Kerse etc. were the hereditary foes of the Kennedys and if the Lady Loudon was that heir to the Loudon Estate who married a Campbell I am sure a record of her fate must exist somewhere.

Kerr is usually taken as an East borders name so it may surprise some that where I sit typing with my one finger is within 5 miles of the lands of Kersland and the Kerr of Kersland was counted chief of all the Kerrs. Kersland being in Ayrshire about 15 miles North of Loudon.

The Gordons were also an East Borders clan who birsled yont as far North as Huntly and as far West as Galloway. Originally from that area of the borders called the Merse there is still a Clachan called Gordon in that area.

Andrew Lang [mid 19th.C], points out that there is a House of Rhodes in the Merse and that Edom o Gordon is claimed for that area.

This may all be far removed from Barbara Allen but I am using it to point out the mistake of being too positive when attributing a ballad to a particular location.