The Story of Busta House
Busta House was once owned by Shetland’s most prosperous merchant, yet a family tragedy precipitated it into a ruinous court case which left the owner bankrupt, and his heirs dispossessed. This book tells the story of the house from the earliest records up to the present day, and ends with an account of the ‘ghost of Busta’.
Praise for The Story of Busta House
“It requires real writing skill in order to transform the fruits of historical research into an entertaining piece of writing ... an ancient curse, a disaster at sea, a mystery regarding the legitimacy of a son, and family feuds ... the obligatory ghost. It has the lot.”
Author’s Comment
Given my interest in women’s history, it’s not surprising I was intrigued by the tale of Baabie Pitcairn, the poor relation who fell in love with the heir to the wealthiest house in Shetland. The window into history given by the trial records was treasure trove. Fascinating – and Busta House Hotel serves afternoon teas and after-dinner coffee in the very room where John Gifford told his formidable mother that he’d marry Baabie in spite of all the world, and she retorted that she’d rather see him dead at her feet.