Monday 13th June 2011
Touched by images of Burns
Press and Journal
Ayrshire’s ploughman poet Robert Burns had his family roots in the Stonehaven area, and now another man of the Mearns, photographer Andy Hall, is reflecting the Bard’s work in a prestigious new exhibition.
Ayrshire is true Burns country. It’s alive with places the Bard lived and worked, many made famous through his poetry and songs. They include the Bachelors’ Club he founded at Tarbolton; Poosie Nansie’s alehouse at Mauchline; the Auld Kirk at Alloway; the Brig o’ Doon and Soutar Johnnie’s house at Kirkoswald
Recognising the area’s worldwide importance, the National Trust for Scotland opened a new £21million Robert Burns Birthplace Museum at Alloway in January. The 10-acre site includes the cottage in which he was born on January 25, 1759, a museum and education centre housing the world’s most important collection of his life and works, some of the historic landmarks from his greatest poems and a memorial monument and gardens.
But while Burns and Ayrshire are forever entwined, his family roots actually lie in the Mearns. His great-grandfather, James, worked the farms of Bogjurgen and Brawlinmuir and is buried at Glenbervie churchyard. Robert’s grandfather, also called Robert, was born at Brawlinmuir and later settled at Clochnahill, six miles south-west of Stonehaven.
January 25th marks the annual celebration of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns.