Robert Burns Visits Dunkeld

An account of the visit by Robert Burns to Dunkeld. Friday, 31st August, 1787. Walk with Mrs Stewart and Beard to Birnam Top, fine prospect down Tay and Craigiebarns Hills, Hermitage on the Braan Water, with a picture of Ossian, breakfast with Dr. Stewart; Niel Gow plays, he is a short, stout-built figure, with greyish hair shed on his honest, social brow, an interesting face marking strong sense, kind open-heartedness mixed with unmistrusting simplicity. Visit his house, met Margaret Gow. Ride up Tummel River to Blair. Read more.

The Poetry of Robert Burns is characterised by its disarming honesty and humanity, and by the poet's remarkable lyric gift. Angry or compassionate, sentimental or satirical, romantic or bawdy, Burns's poetry transcends the Scottish dialect in which it is written to speak to all of us. This specially commissioned recording, available for the first time on CD, offers a wide-ranging choice of Burns's songs and lyrical poems; and longer poems such as 'Tam o'Shanter', and 'The Cotter's Saturday Night' are also included in their entirety. All are read by John Cairney, world-famous for his many stage and television performances of the life and work of Scotland's national bard. Lovers of Burns's poetry will find much to enjoy in this selection, which also provides an extensive introduction for those as yet unfamiliar with his work. The Poems and Songs of Robert Burns.