A love letter by Robert Burns, on long-term loan from the National Galleries of Scotland (Watson Collection).
This is a hand-written love letter by Scotland's Bard Robert Burns (1759 to 1796) to Mrs Agnes Maclehose (1758 to 1841). They exchanged secret letters over the winter of 1787 to 1788 under the pseudonyms Sylvander and Clarinda.
With Agnes on the point of leaving for Jamaica to attempt an ultimately fruitless reconciliation with her husband, Burns wrote what he thought would be the last letter to his 'Nancy' in December 1791.
Within the letter he included his heartfelt song of parting, 'Ae fond kiss', which is now one of his most well-known love songs.
The Library is among the world's leading collectors of Burns books and manuscripts.
[Library reference: MS.586.]
