The Burns Monument, Edinburgh

Robert Burns is without doubt one of the most famous gentlemen in Scotland's cultural history. Both a farmer and an excise officer during his short lifetime, dying at the tender age of thirty seven from a weak heart, he was well acquainted with the difficulties of poverty and deprivation. Despite his fame, he never reaped any financial rewards whilst he lived. A somewhat gregarious gentlemen, he was attractive to the ladies and indeed fathered fourteen children to six different mothers. Nine of these were to one particular woman, a lady called Jean Armour. This leads a person to wonder when on earth did he find the time to write over five hundred and fifty songs and poems - and write so well! I guess there were plenty of places from which inspiration could spring forth. One can well understand why there are so many memorials to this canny Scottish laddie.
On a wonderful March afternoon, one with no rain and no snow (and yes there were some as the picture shows) I passed Edinburgh's Burns Monument on my travels between the two parts of the Old Calton Cemetery. And this is far more than a simple monument, although no more than one would expect to a Scotsman of such stature. Designed by one Thomas Hamilton, this
impressive creation consists of a small, circular temple in the Neo-Greek style and very much typical of Georgian era Edinburgh (eyes right!). For all you architectural types out there, this temple consists of a central drum structure, or a cella, surrounded by twelve columns known as a peri style, as I am very reliably informed. Built in Ravelston sandstone, the whole structure is capped with a dome roof boasting intricate stone carvings and winged lion sculptures. In the shadow of the temple is Canongate graveyard, where lies a close friend of the poet, a lady by the name of Agnes MacLehose, often referred to in his letters and poems as Clarinda. From this amazing vantage point you can also see Arthur's Seat, Salisbury Crags, and Holyrood Park stretching out before you, a wonderful view on an equally wonderful day. There was at one time a white marble statue of Robert Burns within the temple, but this is now resides safely in the National Portrait Gallery. The monument was subject to extensive restoration in recent years, re-opening in 2009.
As I walked away I could not but wonder what Robert Burns may have achieved had he lived beyond his thirty seven years. Hopefully not too many more offspring, but I am sure his talents in other directions would have given us countless works to rival, and maybe outdo, those we are left with today. Fourteen children, five hundred and fifty songs and poems ....... I need to sit down just thinking about it! And did I mention the haggis. How could I be here and not mention the haggis! Address to a Haggis is one of Burns most famous pieces, and led to the haggis becoming equally as well-known. It is read every Burns Night in homage to the humble haggis. How could I not mention the haggis. Shame on me.