Lola Montez, or Maria Dolores Eliza Rosanna Gilbert as she was christened, lead an interesting life. She was an actress who became the mistress of a king and who died penniless in New York. Lola was born in Limerick but lived in India with her widowed mother and her new husband Captain John Craigie of the Indian Army and the son of the Provost of Montrose. When she was about 8 years old she was sent to Montrose to be educated but it was not a success. She lived in Montrose for only 8 months but she left a lasting impression. She was rebellious and chafed against the restraints of life in a small burgh. One night she scandalised the good burgess by running out of Holly House and into the High Street with no clothes on. The Provost was horrified and sent her away. She returned to Montrose only once, after she had become notorious as the King of Bavaria’s mistress. She admitted that Montrose was a lovely town but that she didn’t like the people.

After marrying a soldier who deserted her, Lola embarked on a stage career that took her all over Europe. In Bavaria Lola was created the Countess of Landesfield by King Ludwig, over whom she exerted such a great influence that she was dubbed the uncrowned queen. She lost everything when the king was overthrown in the revolution of 1848. For a number of years she continued to make a living by acting, singing, dancing and lecturing.

Her health broke down and her wealth disappeared. She died in New York on 17 January 1861, penniless. A former school friend called Mrs Buchanan, formerly Miss Thomson of Montrose, took pity on her and nursed her for the last two months of her life. She is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, New York.

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