Buccleuch Street pend from St. Patrick's Square

Image: © kim traynor Taken: 21 May 2011

How a modern architect has attempted to echo the traditional style of building in the area. Compare this with a 19thC stair tower nearby Image The poet Robert Burns lodged in an attic above the 'Buccleuch Pend' during his second visit to the capital. He spent 18 days here in August 1797 as the guest of classics teacher, William Nicol, before both men set off for a three weeks' tour of the Highlands. During his stay Burns wrote a letter describing Nicol sitting opposite him "gabbling Latin so loud that I cannot hear what my own soul is saying in my own scull". He immortalised his drinking-companion in the song, "O Willie brew'd a peck o' maut". Agnes McLehose, aka "Clarinda", lived only a short distance away in 'General's Entry', a close between Bristo Street and Potterrow (now occupied by the south-east corner of the University's School of Informatics building). Burns' lodging in 1797 would have looked much like the building in the linked photograph.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0