James Macpherson (outlaw)

James Macpherson
Bornc.1675
Died16 November 1700(1700-11-16) (aged 24–25)
OccupationRobber
Criminal chargeRobbery
Bearing arms in a market
Being a Gypsy
PenaltyDeath by hanging

James Macpherson (c.1675–1700) was a Scottish outlaw, famed for his lament before execution. He grew up a talented swordsman and fiddle player, then became leader of a gang of robbers. He was arrested in Keith and died in Banff. The lament was rewritten by Robert Burns as McPherson's Farewell.