THE HIGHLAND TOUR

(Facts 55-57)

55. WEST HIGHLAND TOUR:- Burns was in Glasgow by 24 June 1787 and travelled to Inveraray. This was a business trip, to collect cash from subscribers, but he was well received everywhere and was given the freedom of Dumbarton on 29 June. He returned to Ayrshire via Paisley, but the tradition that he visited the grave of 'Highland Mary' Campbell at Greenock is unfounded.

56. HIGHLAND TOUR:- Burns returned to Edinburgh on 7 August where he lodged with William Nichol. Together they set off on a tour of the Highlands in a chaise. They travelled by Linlithgow, Falkirk, Carron, Bannockburn, Stirling, Crieff, Glenlyon, Dunkeld, Taymouth, Aberfeldy, Blair Atholl, Dalwhinnie, Pitmain (Kingussie), Aviemore, Dulsie, Cawdor, Kilravock, Inverness, Foyers, Culloden, Forres, Elgin, Gordon Castle, Buckie, Banff, Old Deer, Buchan, Peterhead, Ellon, Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Montrose, Carse of Gowrie, Perth, Kinross and Queensferry, returning to Edinburgh on 16 September, having covered over 600 miles in 22 days.

57. STIRLINGSHIRE AND WEST PERTHSHIRE:- About 4 October Burns with Dr James Adair left Edinburgh and spent eight days at Harvieston (5-12 October), then went to Ochtertyre near Crieff, Ochtertyre near Stirling and back to Edinburgh on 20 October. Burns had intended proposing marriage to Margaret Chalmers but she said that she was already engaged to the banker Lewis Hay.