A historic Scottish legal case on slavery is being used to drive a fundraising event to aid victims of modern slavery.
The "tumbling lassie" case involved a nameless girl from the 17th century who was sold by her mother to a travelling showman.
She performed as a gymnast until she fled and was take in by a couple, who were eventually sued by the showman for damages.
Judges dismissed his claim and the official report of the case stated: “But we have no slaves in Scotland, and mothers cannot sell their bairns.”
A group of advocates have now formed the Tumbling Lassie Committee and today, on Anti-Slavery Day, they have announced plans for a ball raise money for Scottish charity Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance and the International Justice Mission.
Committee member Maryam Labaki said: "Modern slavery is a growing issue and the Tumbling Lassie Committee aims to raise awareness and funds to help support work done in Scotland by Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) and globally by the International Justice Mission (IJM) which provides support and aid to the victims of trafficking."
Supported by the Faculty of Advocates, the ball will be held in St Paul’s and St George’s Church, York Place, Edinburgh, on January 28 next year.
For more information, visit www.tumblinglassie.com.
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