Helen Dunbar lived during a time when Pluscarden Abbey dominated the religious landscape of Moray. This magnificent structure sits in the secluded Glen of the Black Burn. Originally, King Alexander II founded the site as a Valliscaulian priory. It eventually became a Benedictine Monastery of great wealth and influence.
The Abbey’s history is marked by fire and conflict. For instance, Edward I of England burned the holy site in 1303. Later, the Wolf of Badenoch attacked the Abbey during his 1390 raid. Despite these disasters, the monks maintained their power over the surrounding lands. Our story begins in the nearby parish of Duthil.
The Suitors of Helen Dunbar
Helen Dunbar was a beautiful orphan who lived under the protection of her uncle. Her uncle, Innes, was a humble priest who served the people of Speyside. Because of his kindness, the local community held him in high regard. His niece was equally famous for her beauty and her gentle spirit. Consequently, two powerful Lairds sought her hand in marriage.
Lewis Grant of Auchernach was a fair-haired man known for his impulsive generosity. In contrast, John Dhu Grant of Knockando was dark, swarthy, and deeply calculating. Both men were considered excellent matches for a young woman of her station. Nevertheless, it was the impulsive Auchernach who won her heart. They became secretly betrothed, with only the priest knowing their secret.
A Violent Altercation at the Wedding
Tensions finally erupted during the wedding of the local miller’s daughter. The community gathered for a night of music and traditional dancing. Knockando grew increasingly jealous as he watched Auchernach dancing with the lovely Helen Dunbar. Eventually, he began hurling bitter insults at his fair-haired rival. Auchernach lost his temper and struck Knockando with a heavy fist.
Innes the priest immediately stepped between the brawling men to restore order. He demanded an apology, but Auchernach was far too proud to comply. As a result, the priest snubbed him and asked Knockando to escort Helen home. This public insult deeply wounded Auchernach’s pride. He shouted a dark warning that the old man would pay for his favouritism.
The Murder of Helen Dunbar’s Uncle
Late that night, a silent figure crept onto the roof of the priest’s cottage. The intruder carefully prized through the thick thatch to gain entry. They jumped into the chamber and found the priest sleeping soundly. Without hesitation, the assassin plunged a dirk into the old man’s chest. The next morning, Helen Dunbar discovered the bloody scene.
She found her uncle’s prostrate body and let out a piercing cry. When the servants arrived, they saw her clutching the cross on his breast. The community immediately remembered the threat made at the wedding. Therefore, they seized Auchernach and carried him to the dungeons of Pluscarden. It seemed that the fair-haired Laird was destined for the gallows.
A Clear Field for Knockando
Knockando believed he now had a clear field to win the maiden’s hand. However, Helen Dunbar remained in deep mourning and refused to see him. Finally, he appeared at her door with a letter from the Abbot. He claimed she was required at the Abbey to testify against her lover. She agreed to go only if her servants acted as an escort.
During the journey, Knockando tried to convince her of Auchernach’s guilt. He called his rival a miscreant who ignored the emblem of Christ on the victim. This specific detail immediately raised suspicions in Helen’s mind. She wondered how he knew about the cross if he had not been there. Furthermore, she noticed the letter lacked the official Abbey seal.
The Trial of Helen Dunbar and her Lover
A real messenger soon arrived with a properly sealed document from the monks. Helen realized that Knockando had forged the first letter to kidnap her. When he tried to take her by force, the Priory guards intervened. They arrested the dark Laird and brought him before the Bishop of Elgin. The trial at Pluscarden Abbey was a dramatic affair.
Helen Dunbar testified that Auchernach was innocent of the crime. She explained how Knockando had revealed his own guilt through his words. Enraged by her testimony, Knockando lunged at Auchernach with a hidden knife. He missed his target and killed a young lay brother instead. This second murder sealed his fate in the eyes of the law.
A Happily Ever After
Knockando was sent to the gallows in Elgin for his many crimes. After a period of mourning, Helen Dunbar finally married Lewis Grant of Auchernach. It is said that his hasty temper vanished completely after their wedding day. They lived a long and peaceful life together on the banks of the Spey. Their story remains a popular legend in the history of Moray.
