Old And New Brigs Of Doon

A steel plate engraving of the bridges leading into Alloway, the village where Robert Burns was born.   Robert Burns was born at Alloway near Ayr on the 25th January 1759, the eldest of seven children of Agnes and William Burnes. His father was a market gardener, who having acquired a small holding of land, had built their cottage with its whitewashed clay walls and thatched roof with his own hands.   This view of the bridges leading into Alloway is engraved from a painting by J Ramage and was published in "The National Burns". It shows both the old and new bridge over the River Doon, the inspiration for Burns' song "The Banks O Doon".   "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.