https://www.thistleanddramtours.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-06-12 https://www.thistleanddramtours.com/blog/robert-burns-secret-lover monthly 0.5 2025-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6645f4c38adb637d1553b8e7/3de8622e-890f-4307-9819-4b9086f59f54/Agnes+Maclehose+Grave Blog - Robert Burns’ Secret Lover - Family Pressure In January 1791, after pressure from her family, Agnus sets sail to Jamaica to reunite with her husband. Before she leaves she implores Burns to go back to his wife Jean Armour. When she arrives in Jamaica, she finds that her husband has taken a slave mistress for a wife, and she returns home soon after. The 6th of December of the same year, Agnus and Robert meet for the last time. 40 years later, on the same day she writes in her journal; "This day I can never forget. Parted with Burns, in the year 1791, never more to meet in this world. Oh, may we meet in Heaven!" She passed on the 22nd October 1841 and buried here, at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. So when you are celebrating Burn’s night and you make a toast to Sylvander, remember to hold a dram up for Clarinda too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6645f4c38adb637d1553b8e7/47fadc6b-f3ea-4e3b-a9a7-85a65d6e465f/Burn+%26+Maclehose Blog - Robert Burns’ Secret Lover - Agnes Maclehose Robert Burns is a well known womaniser, with a long list of ladies that he wooed with his pro’s. But few held the attention of the Bard more than Agnes Maclehose. Devout in her faith, but also a fellow poet, Agnes officially leaves her abusive slave owning husband in 1780 and moves to Edinburgh from Glasgow. In 1787 she meets Robert Burns at a tea party and they are both quickly smitten. Secretly writing love letters and love poems back and forth, using the pseudonyms ‘Sylvander’ and ‘Clarinda’ Burns tries to consummate the relationship, but through wisdom, and guilt that she was indeed still married, she never took it any further. She even writes to him; https://www.thistleanddramtours.com/blog/catherine-sinclair monthly 0.5 2025-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6645f4c38adb637d1553b8e7/b9d4d0f7-2e74-4d75-bc25-70414ccf1621/CatherineSinclairsFountain.jpg Blog - Catherine Sinclair - Faith and Philanthropy Catherine Sinclair was not only a writer but also a tireless philanthropist, using her influence and wealth to improve the everyday lives of Edinburgh’s citizens. One of her greatest contributions was the installation of Edinburgh’s first public drinking fountain in 1859. Located at the west end of Princes Street, the fountain was a striking structure, designed to provide clean water to locals, travellers, and even the city’s animals. Inscribed with the words “Water is not for man alone”, it featured basins at different heights, allowing access not only for people but also for dogs and horses pulling Edinburgh’s trams. The fountain became immensely popular, but as the city’s roads became busier, it was seen as an obstruction to traffic and was removed in 1932. The remaining section of the fountain was later relocated to Leith in 1983, where it remains today. Recognizing the need for public seating, Sinclair also arranged for benches to be placed throughout Edinburgh, ensuring that workers, travellers, and the elderly had a place to rest. Many of these benches are still in use today, a quiet but enduring legacy of her generosity. Her compassion extended beyond infrastructure. Understanding the struggles of Edinburgh’s working-class citizens, she founded the Sinclair Cooking Depot, which provided affordable, nutritious meals for those in need. The first depot, located at 6 Queensferry Street, was so successful that a second was established at 33 George IV Bridge. At its peak, this initiative served over 1,200 people daily, and by the time of her death, the depot had provided meals to more than 91,000 people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6645f4c38adb637d1553b8e7/7c83b51f-09ee-4bb5-9147-71ae12a739ed/Holiday_House_-_Catherine_Sinclair_-_James_Wood_-_Houlston_and_Wright.jpg Blog - Catherine Sinclair - A Life Shaped by Literature Born on April 17, 1800, Catherine Sinclair was one of 13 children of Sir John Sinclair, a well-known politician and writer. He played a significant role in Scottish history, most notably by originating The Statistical Account of Scotland. Educated at home, Catherine became her father’s secretary at just 14 years old, spending long hours writing from dictation. Though demanding, this experience gave her a strong foundation in writing—one she would later use to launch a successful literary career. Her first published work was a horror story featured in Blackwood’s Magazine. She then began writing children’s books to entertain her young nieces and nephews, starting with Charlie Seymour, or, The Good Aunt and the Bad Aunt (1832). After her father’s death in 1835, she was able to fully devote herself to writing. Her first novel, Modern Accomplishments (1836), explored the limitations of fashionable female education. It was followed by a sequel, Modern Society (1837), and multiple other novels and travel books, beginning with Hill and Valley, or, Hours in England and Wales (1838). But it was Holiday House (1839) that truly cemented her legacy. The book broke new ground in children’s literature, depicting children realistically—curious, mischievous, and argumentative—rather than as moral lessons in human form. It remained a nursery favourite for over a century. Unlike many authors of her time, Catherine put her real name on her books. The early 19th century still saw novels as a frivolous form of writing—less serious than essays or poetry. Many writers, including Sir Walter Scott, published novels anonymously to avoid criticism. But Catherine’s father disapproved of anonymous publishing, and she proudly put her name on her works. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6645f4c38adb637d1553b8e7/9d117f8d-7cc8-4a95-ba58-d900825018ba/Catherine_Sinclair_Monument%2C_North_Charlotte_Street_Edinburgh.jpg Blog - Catherine Sinclair - A Monument to Remember When Catherine Sinclair passed away on August 6, 1864, at the home of her brother in Kensington, London, she was buried at St John’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh—just yards from where her beloved drinking fountain once stood. In recognition of her impact, a monument was erected in her honour near her childhood home on the corner of Albyn Place and North Charlotte Street. This gothic spire, often referred to as a "miniature Scott Monument", was funded by public subscription, a testament to the high regard in which she was held. Though smaller than the famous monument to Sir Walter Scott, its intricate design and prominent location ensured that Catherine’s contributions would not be forgotten. However, as time passed, so did her fame. While the Victorian public saw her as a literary figure and a great humanitarian, her name gradually faded from history. Today, many Edinburgh residents walk past her monument without knowing the woman it commemorates. https://www.thistleanddramtours.com/blog/edinburghs-greek-goddes monthly 0.5 2024-12-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6645f4c38adb637d1553b8e7/337a71f7-070a-4bda-ace6-8cf0a832436e/SmartSelect_20241201_191218_Gallery.jpg Blog - Edinburgh’s Greek Goddess - Not So Healing Waters The well fell into disrepair over the years, but in the 1880s, it was beautifully restored. The inside was decorated with a stunning mosaic ceiling in shades of ultramarine and gold and the pump was adorned with a Grecian vase. However, the water was eventually found to contain arsenic and other impurities, so it stopped being used for drinking in the 1940s. Despite this, it still stands today as a testament to the affluence of 18th and 19th century Edinburgh and well worth a detour while exploring the city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6645f4c38adb637d1553b8e7/5a1f6140-c37c-47d7-bce9-8e04ee2fd589/SmartSelect_20241201_190912_Gallery.jpg Blog - Edinburgh’s Greek Goddess - The Healing Waters The well was discovered around 1760 by a group of schoolboys out fishing. They found a natural spring, and soon enough, the locals started talking about its healing powers. People travelled from all over, hoping the mineral-rich water could cure everything from arthritis to blindness. In 1789, the well was purchased by Lord Gardenstone, an influential figure in Edinburgh’s anti-slavery movement. 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