  |
|
|
|
One man, the son of an Ayrshire cottar, destined to become Scotland's national bard was born during that extraordinary period of "Enlightenment".
As Scotland emerged from the darkness and religious bigotry of the 17th century and signed away its rights as an independent nation in the Treaty of Union, a remarkable phenomenon began to develop. Within a few short decades, a group of men destined to create a reputation of excellence in the fields of literature, poetry, philosophy, science, economics and political thinking emerged in a golden age of Scottish history. One man, the son of an Ayrshire cottar, destined to become Scotland’s national bard was born during that extraordinary period of “Enlightenment”. He was a radical, a Jacobite and ultimately a hero. Robert Burns, the eldest of seven children was born in Alloway in the county of Ayrshire Scotland on 25 January 1759 in a simple whitewashed two-roomed cottage. As a young boy, Robert attended the local school where he was introduced to poetry and prose. One of the first books that he read was to have a profound effect on him, it was the history of Sir William Wallace. He said proudly, “The story of Wallace poured a Scottish prejudice into my veins which will boil along there till the flood-gate of life shuts in eternal rest”. The family moved several times during Robert’s young life and his back-breaking labour in the fields gave him an insight into the problems faced by the peasantry who, despite the Union with England and the promise of better times remained largely poor and backward. He became a Jacobite at heart not because he wanted the restoration of an absolute monarchy but seeing it as a movement that fought for Scottish independence. In 1786 with the publication of the Kilmarnock edition of his poetry, Burns was transformed from a local poet to a national bard. It was a completely new book of verse and included “To a Daisy, To a Mouse and the Cottars Saturday Night”. To the ‘literati’ of Edinburgh he was a sensation, even the young Walter Scott considered it a great honour to meet him. However, he soon tired of Edinburgh society and decided to visit the Scottish Borders. In a letter to a friend he said, “I have no greater, no dearer aim than to have it in my power…to make leisurely pilgrimages through Caledonia…” The tour began in Edinburgh on 5 May 1787 and with his companion Robert Ainslie he travelled south by way of Haddington and Longformacus. Burns kept an account of his journey which was first published in 1834. It was written in annotated form but nevertheless gives us an insight into his thoughts as he passed through the Borders. His first night was spent at Berrywell near Duns, the home of his friend and travelling companion. The following day was Sunday and he accompanied the family to church where the minister was preaching a fire and brimstone service denouncing obstinate sinners. However, Burns had his mind on other things. He found himself attracted to Ainslie’s sister and quickly wrote a few lines and passed them to her. “Fair maid, you need not take the hint, Nor idle texts pursue Twas guilty sinners that he meant Not Angels such as you.” Continuing their journey they arrived in Coldstream then crossing the Tweed and setting foot on English soil for the first time. He noted that the river was, “Clear and Majestic.” The next stop was Kelso and then on to the ruins of Roxburgh Castle and to the spot where King James II was killed during the bloody carnage that was Flodden Field. “Charming and romantic” was his view of Jedburgh his next stop on the tour. A town of “rude grandeur” noted Burns as he took in the sights. He continued by way of Melrose, Dryburgh and old Ercildoune the ancient home of Thomas the Rymer, and as ever susceptible to the charms of the local girls. Burns was later to embark on two Highland tours before returning to Alloway to marry his beloved Jean Armour. The life of Scotland’s greatest poet was dogged with controversy. However, his many affairs, illegitimate children, his drinking, bawdy language and his flirtation with the ideals of the French Revolution were all ultimately forgiven.
The copyright of the article Robert Burns in UK/Irish History is owned by Neil Gunn. Permission to republish Robert Burns in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
