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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

Bark from a tree at Ellisland Farm, Dumfries

This fragment of bark carved "R Burns 1791" is reputedly from a tree felled at Ellisland farm, near Dumfries.

Burns took up the tenancy of Ellisland in June 1788. The farm was neglected and had not been subject to the improved methods of farming which were then current. Despite considerable efforts, the farm proved a bad bargain and Burns left it in 1791.

It may be that Burns carved his name on the tree prior to his departure to serve as be a reminder in future years of the time he spent there.

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