Slip of the finger while distracted by consideration of yet more pejorative question begging-remarks about the composers of broadside ballads. Miller of course: same point applies.

As Jim Carroll is fully aware, (or should be if he has actually read Amanda Maclean's article, the one he referred us to) the actual Andrew Lammie was in fact a soldier. By the simple process of googling I ascertained that these particular troops were made up of members of the gentry.

The word 'daft' was chosen for its mildness. I learned while googling about this song that some folk singers will not sing it because of the violence it portrays.

'at a time when tradespeople were replacing the gentry as leaders of the community'. Hmm. My knowledge of Scottish history is limited, a book by Neil Oliver, background to James Hogg, Walter Scott.

The late 17th century is often referred to as 'the killing time' in relation to the violent religious arguments of the time. So I'm not sure that it is quite accurate to refer to 'the community'.

Interestingly, the/a real Miller of seems to have been Presbyterian while those who held Fyvie Castle appear to have secretly been Catholic.