Robert Burns in Edinburgh

Book excerpt: Today Robert Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and people all over the world annually celebrate Burns Night on 25 January. Famous now for Auld Lang Syne, Scots Wha Hae, and A Man's A Man for A' That, Rabbie inspires Scots to be proud of Scotland. When he arrived in Edinburgh in November 1786 Burns was unknown, but within days the 'Ploughman Poet' was the talk of the capital, mixing in a circle of wealthy and important new friends. Edinburgh was changing quickly and it was the time of the Scottish Enlightenment, a period of great intellectual and scientific achievement. Burns' experiences during his stay in Edinburgh, including love affairs and fathering illegitimate children, were to influence much of his work to come. His friendship with Agnes 'Nancy' McLehose led to the poem, Ae Fond Kiss, among others. To capture the events of these vital months, three Burns enthusiasts from Glasgow - Jerry Brannigan, John McShane and David Alexander - have newly researched this period in Burns' life for this book. Gain a sense of this fascinating man, city and time by dipping into this book as you stroll through the capital, or by reading it at your leisure. Book jacket.