As the nation marks the birthday of Robert Burns, many across the country will partake in Burns feasts this evening to mark one of Scotland’s most iconic historical figures.

While Robert Burns was born in Ayrshire, there are many connections between the poet and East Lothian, the most evident is through his family members.

 

Gilbert Burns

 

Robert’s younger brother Gilbert Burns and his family lived at Grants Braes, south of Haddington, when he came to East Lothian in 1800 to manage the farm of Morham West Mains. Gilbert was the second child of William Burnes and Agnes Broun and was close with his elder brother Robert.

Both Gilbert and Robert were schooled together from a young age and went on to work together as tenant farmers. Gilbert also helped Robert with his book sales.

After Robert’s death in 1776, Gilbert moved from Ayrshire to Morham.

In 1804, Gilbert was appointed as factor to the Lennoxlove estate by Haddington by Lord and Lady Blantyre, earning an annual salary of £140.

He moved into a two-storey house at Grants Brae on the Haddington to Bolton road with his wife Jean, with whom he had eleven children.

Although the house no longer exists, a monument built by William Baxter of Tranent now marks the spot.

There is also a well at Grants Braes from which Burns’ mother drew water. The rebuilding of the well was carried out in the 1950s by volunteers from Thorntree Mystic Burns Club and the Airts Burns Club, both of Prestonpans, and the Tranent 25 Club.

Gilbert Burns was a well-known figure around Haddington and in 1808 he became an elder of St Mary’s Church in Haddington. He died on April 8, 1827 aged 67 and is buried in Bolton churchyard.

 

Isobel Burns

 

Isobel Burns, Robert’s youngest sister, also lived in the county, residing near Ormiston from 1817 to 1832. Isobel was a widow and her son was the schoolmaster at Ormiston until 1832 when he resigned and moved to Canada.

She later moved to Tranent to stay with two of her daughters who had a dressmaking business. She remained in Tranent until 1843 and was the last surviving member of Robert's immediate family.

 

Visits to the county

 

Burns visited Dunbar in 1787, which he noted in his ‘Journal of a Journey’ while recording a trip to the Scottish Borders. He commented on the rich fertility of the Dunbar area following the visit.

Some sources suggest that Robert Burns accepted one particular invitation to visit East Lothian from Lord Dalrymple of North Berwick. Whilst there, he found himself dining in the servants’ quarters and was later called to the grand banqueting hall to entertain the gentry.

More information on Robert Burns’ connections to East Lothian can be found on the John Gray Centre website at: https://rb.gy/xl4zpx