Mossgiel

A steel plate engraving of the farm worked by Robert Burns and his brother, Gilbert following the death of their father.   At the farm of Lochlea the Burns family prospered, but the poet's father William Burnes became enthralled in a protracted law suit with their landlord, David McLure. His case was upheld but he was financially ruined by the litigation and died shortly after.   It was during the last unhappy months of their father's life that Robert and Gilbert Burns arranged to take the lease of the farm of Mossgiel and the family moved there in 1784. This view of the farm at Mossgiel is engraved  from a painting by J Ramage and was published in "The National Burns".   "The National Burns", edited by Rev. George Gilfillan was published by William Mackenzie of Glasgow and contained "The airs of all the songs and an original life of Burns by the editor". It was also illustrated throughout, both by engraved plates and within the text. It was published in 15 parts, costing two shillings each making it an affordable way for people to purchase the complete works of Robert Burns.