Friars Carse in Nithsdale

An image of the old tower house which formerly occupied the site of Friar's Carse.   This engraving illustrates the buildings which stood on the site of the home of Robert Burns' friend and neighbour, Robert Riddell. Riddell built a mansion  house at Friar's Carse, a country estate upstream from Ellisland in 1774. The name of the estate comes from its origin as a mediaeval monastery site.   Burns composed the poem beginning, "Thou whom chance may hither lead" as a tribute to Robert Riddell and their friendship. They collaborated on several songs with Riddell supplying the airs for Burns lyrics. He was a collector of traditional Scottish music, a passion which he shared with the poet.   This copper plate engraving was printed by S Hooper of London and published in Captain Francis Grose's two volume, "Antiquities of Scotland". Robert Burns and Francis Grose met and became friends whilst Grose was researching his book. Burns wrote the poem, "Tam O'Shanter" as a "witch story" to accompany the engraving of Alloway Kirk which was published in it.