Mary Erskine (1629-1708), born and raised in  Edinburgh, was a Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist (after being twice  widowed) who founded a school for girls which was eventually renamed for her as benefactress and still exists as the Mary Erskine School in the  Ravelston area of Edinburgh. (Thanks to Robb Quint for digging this up; see <<sspey-thread:63106|this Strathspey thread>>.)

The dance is dedicated to the school on the occasion of its tercentenary.