Billy Marshall

Billy Marshall was the legendary King of the Gypsies of Galloway, a folk hero of the Scottish Romani tradition said to have lived to the extraordinary age of one hundred and twenty (c.1672–1792). Francis Hindes Groome called Galloway 'Billy Marshall's old kingdom' in Gypsy Folk-Tales. Tradition says he fought at Sheriffmuir at forty-three and survived to see Culloden, married seventeen wives and fathered numerous children across south-west Scotland. Walter Scott drew on his legend for the Romani characters in Guy Mannering. His grave is said to lie in Kirkcudbright kirkyard.