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Portrait of Jean Armour Burns with Highland Mary Bible Given to Highland Mary “Clarinda” Bark Inscription Brow Well - Postcard Brow Well - Modern View Funeral Scene

Lock of 'Highland Mary's hair, which is preserved in the bibles (no.603)

Robert Burns (1759-96) Scotland's National Poet was born in a small thatched cottage in Alloway Ayrshire. In 1786 Burns, the farmer met Mary Campbell a nurse-maid to his friend Gavin Hamilton. The became betrothed and before they could emigrate to Jamaica she contracted a fever and died.

The lock of hair which was removed on the death of Mary is in the set of 2 bibles which Burns presented to Mary on their betrothal. Burns was bereft after her death and was inspired to write some of the most beautiful lyrics in our language.

The lock of hair is now preserved, with the bibles, in the Burns Cottage Museum Alloway.

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