Mossgeil

This is 1 of 12 etchings by George Houston which form a series entitled Burns Country. The series depicts different sites around Ayrshire with which Burns was associated at various stages in his life. The series was published in May 1915 and was accompanied by text written by Houston's friend Neil Munro.   Following the death of his father, Burns' family resided at Mossgeil between 1784 and 1788. Mossgeil is located close to Mauchline on the road to Kilmarnock and it was during this period that Burns met Jean Armour at Mauchline. It was also a very important period of writing for him, the first edition of his Poems being printed at Kilmarnock in 1786 by John Wilson.