January 25 marks Burns Day, as we celebrate the National Bard on the 263rd anniversary of his birth.
The Ayrshire born poet is renowned for his works, perhaps most famously Auld Lang Syne which is sung around the world on Hogmanay.
Rabbie spent two years of his life in Edinburgh, fathered a few children while here, and made his mark on the capital.
We've had a look to see where Burns spent his time while in the city, and where his impact can be felt today.
Baxters Close
In 1786 Burns was persuaded by a blind poet, Thomas Blacklock, to hold off on emigrating to the West Indies and instead taking residence in Baxter’s Close.
Delving into a life with the fashionable circles of Edinburgh, it was here that Rabbie’s career began to really take off.
Allan Cunningham, another Scottish writer, described Rabbie’s room on Baxter’s Close.
He said: “(Burns) had his share of a deal table, a sanded floor, and a chaff bed, at eighteen pence a week.”
The building has since been demolished, replaced with Deacon Brodies pub which now sits just a stone's throw away from the Writer’s Museum.
Writer’s Museum
Edinburgh’s Writer’s Museum celebrates the lives of three of the most influential Scottish writers - Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Home to portraits, rare books and personal objects the museum houses Burn’ writing desk, as well as a plaster cast of his skull - one of three ever made.
The rise of Robert Burns from farmer to poet is legendary, and the museum houses many of his published works.
Miss Nimmo’s House
Miss Erskine Nimmo was a friend of Burns, and it was in her house that he met Agnes Maclehose - otherwise known as Clarinda.
Burns and Agnes began a two year romance, sending letters back and forth under the names Sylvander and Clarinda.
The poet went on to father a child with Agnes’ maid, and marry another woman named Jean Armour.
Today, the area continues to be known for literary reasons with the University of Edinburgh - though Alison Square was demolished in the 19th century creating access to Nicolson Square from the west.
Burns Monument
Sitting at the foot of Calton Hill, the Burns monument looks out to Arthurs Seat in Holyrood Park.
The foundation stone for the structure was built in 1831, designed by Thomas Hamilton who also made the nearby Royal High School.
A fundraising appeal was launched in 2008 for the restoration of monuments on Calton Hill, with a ceremony marking the opening of the restored monument taking place in September 2009.
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James Sibbald’s Circulating Library
James Sibbald acquired the circulating library in 1780 from the widow of John Yair, and it became a meeting place for the leading figures of the time.
The Parliament Square building was a popular haunt for Sir Walter Scott, Henry McKenzie, and Lord Monboddo.
Today, the building houses the library for the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Court of Scotland.
General’s Entry
Agnes, Burns’ ‘close friend’ lived in a flat just off Potterrow at General’s Entry.
According to historians, Burns would call her the ‘Goddess of Potterrow’.
On one specific visit, Rabbie rocked up to her house in a sedan chair which was followed promptly by Agnes asking him to only show up in a sedan chair after dark - so not to alarm the neighbours.
In 1837, the Clarinda Burns Club pushed for a memorial plaque close to her flat that no longer existed.
It was debated whether her character was good enough to have a plaque on the side of a local primary school, with Edinburgh Corporation Education Committee saying it was unacceptable.
The plaque was finally erected at the corner of Potterrow and Marshall Street.
Libberton’s Wynd
One of Burns’ favourite spots was Johnnie Dowie’s tavern on Libberton’s Wynd off the Cowgate.
The pub was popular due to its close proximity to Edinburgh’s courts, with its largest room holding 14 people.
The smallest space, known as the coffin, held four people and was the favourite space of Burns.
It was demolished, along with the rest of Libberton Wynd, to make way for the George IV Bridge in 1827.
White Hart Inn
The White Hart Inn is one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, welcoming many notable patrons during its five century long run.
In November 1791, the Scottish bard spent a week at the inn while visiting Agnes for the last time.
While here, he wrote one of his most renowned love songs; Ae Fond Kiss.
Some of Burns’ poetry can be found in the White Hart Inn to this day, painted on the wooden rafters.
Buccleuch Street
Burn’s lived here for a short while with close friend William Nicol.
The duo enjoyed many nights of debauchery dancing in the Assembly Rooms with Jane, the Duchess of Gordon.
According to records, William was a hard drinker and Burns’ time with him did nothing for his reputation within the high society of Edinburgh.
