Robert Burns' Mauchline

Burns House Museum

 Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns, lived in Mauchline with his long-time sweetheart Jean Armour from the spring until the autumn of 1788. His farm, which he shared with his brother Gilbert, was at nearby Mossgiel. 

While at Mossgiel, Burns wrote some of his most famous poems, including To A Mouse, The Twa Dogs, The Holy Fair, and The Cotter's Saturday Night. 

Jean, the daughter of a local stone-mason, was pregnant with twins for the second time. (One of her first twins had sadly died). She had been thrown out by her parents, who were furious when they found that Burns had got her pregnant again.

For her confinement, Robert found her a room in Mauchline (on the upper floor of the Burns House Museum, left). At this date, Burns believed that the couple were no longer married, as Jean's family had destroyed a piece of paper which showed they had wed informally.

Statue of Jean Armour, Mauchline.

Unfortunately, Jean lost both her twins shortly after their birth. Shortly afterwards, Jean and Robert were formally married by the local justice, Gavin Hamilton. 

Meanwhile, Burns was on the look-out for a new farm, as Mossgiel was not proving profitable. He settled on Ellisland Farm. However, its house was not habitable, so Robert set about building his family a new home. Burns, Jean, and their young son Robert, moved to Ellisland in December 1788. 

Mauchline is a bustling small town, and you can still see many of the buildings that Burns and Jean knew (see below). 

The 'Sma' Inn' which belonged to Nanse Tinnock ('Poosie Nansie') in Castle Street is part of the Burns House Museum site.

Another inn owned by Nanse Tinnock (pictured with Burns on the left) is on the corner of Loudon Street and Cowgate (photo, below right).  

Mauchline church is not the same building as the one known by Burns, as it was replaced in 1829. 

However, there are several interesting memorials of Mauchline folk who Burns was acquainted with, some of whom are mentioned in his poems. 

Armour Monument. 

Several relatives are also buried in the kirkyard - his brother John, and four of Robert's children by Jean Armour. 

Daddy Auld's Monument.

 

Title page of a volume of Burns' poems, 1813.