Broughton House, Kirkcudbright

Although Burns’ work was popular during his own lifetime there was enormous interest in the poet during the Victorian era - especially in Dumfries and Galloway. The local artist E. A. Hornel, one of the leading Scottish Colourists of his day, amassed a truly comprehensive collection library on Burns which is now cared for by the National Trust for Scotland in the artist’s former home, Broughton House.

Visitors to Broughton House in Kirkcudbright may be surprised to discover one of the largest collections of Burns related books in the world.

Broughton House, a fine mid-18th century house in the coastal town of Kirkcudbright, was the home of the artist Edward Atkinson Hornel from 1901 until his death in 1933. Hornel was an enthusiastic Burnsian, and was at various times President of Kirkcudbright Burns Club and Dumfries Burns Club. He collected about 2,500 books by and about Robert Burns, and the collection is one of the largest in the world. Most of the rare and early editions, including a copy of the first Kilmarnock edition, are in the collection. Two volumes in the collection are inscribed by Burns. One is a copy of the “Scots Musical Museum” by James Johnson, 1788, with the inscription “To Miss Stewart, the daughter of his friend – from Robert Burns”. Polly Stewart, celebrated by Burns for her beauty in his poem “Lovely Polly Stewart”, was the daughter of William Stewart, factor of Closeburn Estate in Dumfriesshire. A vast range of Burns Supper programmes and Immortal Memories are also included in the collection.

Also in Broughton House are many manuscripts of early songs and ballads, including some versions of a few old songs in the Scottish dialect which Burns adapted. The better known songs include “Comin thro’ the Rye”, “Ca’ the Ewes to the Knowes”, and “Green Grow the Rashes”.

Broughton House will re-open on 1st April 2005 after extensive renovations by the National Trust for Scotland.