Kirkoswald, a small village that punches well above it's weight on
the history front. Much more than a speed bump on the A77.
There is a small public carpark beside the location, not
the pub carpark across the road.
In 1775 William Burnes of Mount Oliphant Farm sent his 16 year
old son, Robert Burns, to study mathematics & land surveying at
the school in the village, run by the locally renowned teacher Hugh
Rodger. The school occupied the southern end of the building now
known as Souter Johnnie's Inn.
During that summer the young Burns met local farmer Douglas
Graham, the village cobbler or "Souter" John Davidson, & Jean
Kennedy, landlady of the local pub.
The threesome evidently made an impression on Burns as 15 years
later he was to immortalise them in his epic poem "Tam O'Shanter".
They would become world famous as the eponymous hero and his
cronies, Souter Johnnie & Kirkton Jean.
All three now rest here along with Hugh Rodger the schoolmaster.
For an interesting insight into multi-cultural Kirkoswald in the
1700's follow the link
Scipio Kennedy &
Page 2 he also lies here.
Finally, if you have the time, cross the street & climb Kirk
Brae to the present day church which has a number of facsinating
facts of its own. Not least being the scene of my own wedding to
Mrs Pint!!!