Betty Corrigall's story is particularly sad. Having said that, depending on your viewpoint, many years later, it might have had a slightly happier ending.

During the darker days of bigotry in religious beliefs and moral high ground it was considered a sin to become pregnant out of wedlock. Even worse was the belief that a soul who committed suicide would suffer the torment of eternal damnation and therefore could not be buried on hallowed ground with respect.

Poor Betty Corrigall was such a girl who, it is alleged, found herself pregnant by a visiting sailor. She was so ashamed and embarrassed by her predicament that she took her own life. The community, therefore, laid Betty, unceremoniously, to rest at the edge of the parish borders. The location they chose was a desolate, bleak and unforgiving site among the heather laden hills alongside the Water of Hoy. A sad end indeed!

However, during the Second World War, soldiers digging gun emplacements, unearthed Betty's body, which had been fairly well preserved in the peat. A local man, Harry Berry, vowed that he would make a headstone for the grave and, when he retired, did just that. A white picket fence was erected around poor Betty's grave and a service was held which, it is hoped, allowed her to rest in peace.

Many hearts go out to Betty Corrigall and countless deep thoughts and prayers must have been said for her, especially now that her story and burial place is known by all who travel the Hoy road.