Robert Burns in Dumfries & Galloway
Robert Burns first came to Dumfries & Gallloway in 1788, where he stayed in Ellisland Farm in Holywood, six miles north of Dumfries
When he first came to Dumfries in November 1791, he stayed in a flat above the "Coach and Horses" (an old hostelry, which has survived, from the poet's day). During his stay here, Burns collected, improved or composed numerous fine songs such as "Ae Fond Kiss", "The Deil's Awa wi' the Exciseman" and "Lea Rig".
His favourite "howff" (inn or meeting place) was The Globe Inn, Dumfries, which today still retains much of its former atmosphere, having been a hostelry from 1610.
He died at the age of thirty seven on July 21st 1796, living his last years of his life in Burns' House in Dumfries
Burns is buried in a Grecian Mausoleum in St. Michael's Kirkyard, Dumfries with his wife and five of their family.
As in other places associated with Burns, you can track down his name scratched on an upstairs windowpane in Burns House by his diamond stylus.
In July 1796, at the Midsteeple in the Town Centre of Dumfries, Robert Burns' body lay before the highly impressive funeral procession to St. Michael's Kirkyard. On that very afternoon (July 25th), his widow Jean gave birth to their last son Maxwell. |
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