It's perfectly fine here, Richie.
Some excellent research as usual.
I would ask for a summary and your opinions when you have finished.
Personally I see no reason to dispute the connection with the historic facts.

The only caution I would give is that a lot of ballad writing and rewriting went on in the 18th and early 19th century in Scotland and some of the editors you have mentioned are the prime suspects. There were ballad brokers going around selling versions to the collectors and they were rewriting and editing them and passing them on to their friends. Even Motherwell was involved in this before he saw the light and wrote his memorable introduction.