SCOTLAND’S most well-known poet Robert Burns was born on 25th January 1759. During his lifetime his poetical works and songs did not bring him fame and fortune but since his death on 21st July 1796, his work has become synonymous with Scotland. Nine years before his untimely death, Burns paid a couple of visits to Clackmannanshire.

During 1787, Burns stayed at the Harviestoun estate as a guest of his friend Gavin Hamilton, who had been tasked by estate owner John Tait to live there until his daughter became an adult. Hamilton, a solicitor, and his wife moved in, with her grown-up children. Along wth the family, Hamilton’s cousin, Margaret Chalmers, known to the family as Peggy, also stayed on the estate along with her mother. Burns already knew Peggy as he had met her several times beforehand in Edinburgh at the home of another poet Dr Blacklock, although it is said he also had met her previously at home in Ayrshire.

Burns liked Peggy. She could play the piano and sing, and he became one of her many admirers. However. Peggy was not at Harviestoun during his one-day visit on 27th August. He had embarked on a Highland tour and found himself at Stirling so took the opportunity to ride to Harviestoun. During the afternoon, Burns, Hamilton and Hamilton’s step-daughter Charlotte went for a ride around the local area, taking in Cauldron Linn and Rumbling Bridge. He left that evening, returning to Stirling as he had a prior engagement.

The following day Burns wrote to Hamilton to say how much he had enjoyed his day with him and was invited back in October. This time he stayed longer and to his delight, Peggy was also there. He was accompanied this time by his friend James Adair, who later married Charlotte. Burns was swept up in emotion and immortalised Peggy in ‘Young Peggy Blooms’ and ‘My Peggy’s Charms.’ Yet Burns spent a night in Alva during this time as his old friend Betty Black now ran a public house called Lucky Stewarts. It was noted by a fellow drinker that he seemed unhappy and later Peggy admitted that Burns had proposed to her. but she had rejected him. It is a possible explanation for his dark mood. He returned to Harviestoun soon after, putting his gloominess behind him.

He wrote the song ‘The Banks of the Devon’ that same year which immortalised his visit.

Burns never really got over Peggy but he later married Jean Armour and Peggy herself married wealthy banker Lewis Hay.