THE NORTHERN WHIG

Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland

25 November 1909

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CURIOUS EDINBURGH DIVORCE SUIT.

In the court of Sessions, Edinburgh, yesterday, Lord Salvesen granted a divorce, with the custody of the child [Lola Zaza] and £52 a year aliment for the latter, to Rose Edith Kelly, or Crowley, from Alister MacGregor Crowley, of Boleskine, Foyers, Inverness-shire, and residing in London. The suit was undefended. Plaintiff said in 1902, when she was a widow, she met defendant who called himself Count Skellet. Later he called himself Macgregor to identify himself with Scotland, where he had bought an estate. After marriage he called himself “Lord Boleskine,” saying people in Scotland called themselves after their estates. In July last she left him, and by accidentally opening a letter she ascertained he was the father of a child borne by another lady.

Plaintiff’s brother [Gerald Kelly] said the defendant was very proud of having, as he thought, Scottish blood in his veins. He invented a new kind of religion. He was a Cabalist and studied ancient manuscripts. Defendant got some mark of distinction from an Indian chief and thereupon called himself Lord Boleskine. There was a lot of land round Boleskine, but it was mostly perpendicular. Defendant’s father was a Plymouth Brother. He had lots of money, but was stupid where money was concerned.

His Lordship thought he might assume defendant’s domicile was Scottish, whatever it was originally, and granted a decree.