There is an interesting book, "The Immortal Hour: The True Story of Netta Fornario," by Ben Oakley that includes many details of her life. Emma talks of Netta's fascination with the spiritual and occult and of the odd behaviour she displayed during her time on Iona. There are no known photographs of her, and the one that is often used to illustrate her is actually Moira Mathers. Moriarty was a Freemason who also practiced esoteric and ceremonial magic in the vein of the Theosophy movement, which (oversimplified) is a blend of eastern and western mysticism. Giuseppe Fornario, an Italian Professor and Director of Milan’s Medical Institute, had handed over Netta’s care to her English grandparents who had since passed away.

Norah Emily Editha Fornario (known as Netta Fornario) is unfortunately more famous for the strange circumstances of her death than for her achievements in life. We also hear of the peculiar scene where Netta was found, leading to further suspicion around occult practices. Her photo has also been used as belonging to Moina Mathers, the wife of Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers). Mrs MacRae said she hadn’t raised the alarm immediately, which (as I’ve said before) is understandable, considering Netta was prone to disappearing for hours on her own).Through dreams and nightmares, lies and revelations, these other characters make themselves felt, invisible presences crowding ‘this too small room’ of the stage.

She was found naked, apart from a black cloak, lying on a large cross that had been cut from the turf with a knife that was close at hand. She claimed that they were a response to psychic attacks from the former leader of the Alpha et Omega Temple, Moina Mathers. For island residents - most devout Christians - she was an outsider, but a friendly, kind person, who was just a little different.From stories of new age magic, otherworldly realms, alchemy and psychic abilities, all practised in shady back rooms of the temples belonging to secretive societies, our imaginations have often run wild, crossing victorian gothic aesthetic with the lure of a shadowy underworld.