The Club Badgecreated for the Homecoming Year 2009
Ian Strang's etching
Dumbarton Tolbooth
In mid June 1787 Burns mounted his faithful mare, Jenny Geddes, and set off for the West Highlands. It is assumed that Burns was collecting subscriptions for the Edinburgh Edition on this tour and that he was accompanied by Dr George Grierson and Mr George Gairdner of Ladykirk. The farthest extent of the tour was Inveraray, seat of John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll. It was unfortunate for Burns that the committee of the British Fisheries Society, of which the Duke was President, was meeting at Inveraray prior to selecting Tobermory as a new fishing port in the Island of Mull. The result was that the castle was full, the local inn was crowded with guests and Burns got very poor service. He vented his wrath by scratching on one of the window-panes.
Who e'er he be that sojourns here
I pity
much his case
Unless he come to wait upon
The Lord, their god, 'His Grace'
There's naething here but Highland pride,
And Highland scab and hunger:
If providence has sent me here,
'Twas surely in an anger.
From Inveraray, Burns and his two companions rode by way of Clachan, Cairndow, through Glen Kinglas to the summit of the Rest and be Thankful, Arrochar and Tarbet on Loch Lomond. At Bannachra our travellers became ensconced in a party which certainly brightened Burns mood. There was Scottish dancing and singing until the ladies retired at 3 a.m. when a punch bowl was filled. This kept them going till 6 a.m. when they all went outside to pay homage to the sun as it arose over Loch Lomond.
Presumably after some sleep, they spent that same day sailing on Loch Lomond, prior to dining that night at Arden.
After leaving Arden, Burns and Jenny Geddes had an impromptu race with a highlander which left Burns in a sorry state because of a fall. Burns appeared to be winning until "Donald" wheeled his horse and brought them down. Donald ended in a hedge and Burns received a skinful of cuts, bruises and wounds.
They reached Dumbarton by way of Balloch and Renton. On 29th June, the magistrates of the town presented the poet with his Burgess Ticket.
Dumbarton is proud of its association with Robert Burns. It also has the distinction of being one of six Scottish Burghs which made Burns a freeman during his life. The other five are Jedburgh, Dumfries, Linlithgow, Lochmaben and Sanquhar. His Burgess Ticket is a treasured relic, preserved in the council's archives. Highland Mary's two nieces are buried in a little churchyard at Renton.
The full story can be read in the club publication " Robert Burns and Dunbartonshire" available from the club. Click on "Publications" button on Home Page for further details.
Further information can be found via the local council web site. Click here
Unless he come to wait upon
The Lord, their god, 'His Grace'
There's naething here but Highland pride,
And Highland scab and hunger:
If providence has sent me here,
'Twas surely in an anger.
From Inveraray, Burns and his two companions rode by way of Clachan, Cairndow, through Glen Kinglas to the summit of the Rest and be Thankful, Arrochar and Tarbet on Loch Lomond. At Bannachra our travellers became ensconced in a party which certainly brightened Burns mood. There was Scottish dancing and singing until the ladies retired at 3 a.m. when a punch bowl was filled. This kept them going till 6 a.m. when they all went outside to pay homage to the sun as it arose over Loch Lomond.
Presumably after some sleep, they spent that same day sailing on Loch Lomond, prior to dining that night at Arden.
After leaving Arden, Burns and Jenny Geddes had an impromptu race with a highlander which left Burns in a sorry state because of a fall. Burns appeared to be winning until "Donald" wheeled his horse and brought them down. Donald ended in a hedge and Burns received a skinful of cuts, bruises and wounds.
They reached Dumbarton by way of Balloch and Renton. On 29th June, the magistrates of the town presented the poet with his Burgess Ticket.
Dumbarton is proud of its association with Robert Burns. It also has the distinction of being one of six Scottish Burghs which made Burns a freeman during his life. The other five are Jedburgh, Dumfries, Linlithgow, Lochmaben and Sanquhar. His Burgess Ticket is a treasured relic, preserved in the council's archives. Highland Mary's two nieces are buried in a little churchyard at Renton.
The full story can be read in the club publication " Robert Burns and Dunbartonshire" available from the club. Click on "Publications" button on Home Page for further details.
Further information can be found via the local council web site. Click here
Inverary Castle
Banachra Castle
Unveiling the plaque commemorating his
Burgess Ticket: June 1987