The father of Bessy Bell was the laird of Kinnaird, and Mary Gray was the daughter of the neighbouring laird of Lednoch. They loved each other with the most wonderful friendship. During the plague of 1645, in order to avoid the risk of contagion, they erected for themselves a bower about three-quarters ot a mile west of Lednoch house, in a secluded spot, called Burnbraes, where they resided together for some time, till at last they both caught the infection from a young gentleman, who, with a liberality of love somewhat uncommon, was enamoured of them both.

In this sylvan establishment they both died, and were buried in another part of Mr Gray’s grounds, called the Dronach Haugh, at the foot of a brae of the same name, near the bank of the river Almond. Major Berry, proprietor of Lednoch, enclosed with pious care the spots, and consecrated them to the memory of the amiable friends.