IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Glencairn Street, STEVENSTON, KA20 3BT

M.o.T centre in what was previously an A1 Bus Service garage years ago

Captain Robert Baillie originally erected this family obelisk to commemorate the death of his wife May Reid, who was related to the noble Cunninghame Family. The name of his daughter 'Bonnie Lesley Baillie' was added later. Lesley was born at Mayfield House in Stevenston on 6th March 1768 and spent her young life here. Robert Burns brought her to fame as the "Immortal Goddess" in two of his poems. When travelling through Dumfries with her father and friends she met Burns, who travelled on with them to the English border. Burns wrote the Almighty God had made the most beautiful, perfect woman and broke the mould so that no other could be made, even the devil could not tempt her. Lesley later married Robert Cumming of Logie in Morayshire and settled in Edinburgh. She died on 19th July 1843. Lesley and her sister Grace are buried in the same plot in the small kirkyard of St Johns the Evangelist Church in Princes Street, Edinburgh. Bonnie Lesley by Robert Burns O saw ye bonnie Lesley, As she gaed o'er the Border? She's gane, like Alexander, To spread her conquests farther. To see her is to love her, And love but her for ever; For Nature made her what she is, And never made anither! Thou art a queen, fair Lesley, Thy subjects, we before thee; Thou art divine, fair Lesley, The hearts o' men adore thee. The deil he could na scaith thee, Or aught that wad belang thee; He'd look into thy bonnie face, And say-"I canna wrang thee!" The Powers aboon will tent thee, Misfortune sha'na steer thee; Thou'rt like themselves sae lovely, That ill they'll ne'er let near thee. Return again, fair Lesley, Return to Caledonie! That we may brag we hae a lass There's nane again sae bonnie.

Church of Scotland High Kirk, and the Champion Shell Inn, Stevenston.