Background

Robert Burns first came to Dumfries and Galloway during a tour with his friend Robert Ainslie. He arrived in Dumfries on 4th June 1787 and Dumfries Town Council made him an honorary burgess. Following the success of the first edition of his poems he had been acclaimed as ‘Caledonia’s Bard’ by Edinburgh society. The 3000 copies of his new Edinburgh edition of poetry were selling well and an article about him in The Lounger, a weekly magazine, had further increased his fame.

The main reason for his visit was to look at Ellisland Farm on the estate of Dalswinton, 6 miles north of Dumfries. Burns was offered the tenancy at a good rent. He was doubtful of earning his living by his pen and was looking for another means but when he first saw the farm he became worried that the ‘bargain’ might ruin him. In March 1788, despite his misgivings, he signed the lease. Meanwhile, he wrote to Robert Graham of Fintry, a Commissioner of the Scottish Board of Excise, to indicate that he “wished to get into the Excise”. Graham, another admirer, used his influence and arranged for Burns to receive a position in Dumfries.

From Ellisland Farm, Burns, his wife Jean and their growing family moved into the town of Dumfries in 1791, leaving farming behind. In 1792 his Excise duties saw promotion to the Dumfries Port Division. Burns took a full part in town life and wrote many songs and poems. His favourite walks were beside the Nith, upriver to Lincluden Abbey and downstream along the Dock to Castledykes. The Globe Inn was Burns’ preferred pub where he spent many happy evenings with his companions. Burns and his family moved into his final home in Mill Street (now Burns Street), in May 1793 where their standard of living was good and they employed a maidservant. The house had a parlour, kitchen, two bedrooms and a study where Burns could write. Unfortunately, Burns health started to deteriorate and he travelled to Brow Well (pictured), a spa near Ruthwell to seek a cure. However, he returned to his family in Dumfries no better and died in July 1796.