Robert Ainslie (1766–1838) was a Scottish lawyer, and one of Robert Burns's long-term friends from his Edinburgh days. He was probably the closest confidant of Burns, whom he met first at a Masonic or Crochallan Fencibles event. Ainslie accompanied the poet on the first part of his Border Tour. Robert's father, also Robert, was a lawyer a bailie at Duns and a land-steward on Lord Douglas's Berwickshire estates. Robert married Jean Cunningham on 22 December 1798.
Robert Ainslie
Robert Burns. A facsimile by Maclure and Macdonald from John Beugo's engraving.
Edingham Castle near Robert Ainslie's estate.
Burns and Ainslie passed through Haddington on their way to Duns.
Alexander Cunningham (lawyer)
Alexander Cunningham was one of Robert Burns's closest friends from his time in Edinburgh. They stayed in contact, through at least 19 letters from the poet; and Cunningham was the ardent admirer who encouraged and joined others such as John Syme to raise funds for the poet's family after his death. Cunningham was one of the small group of associates whom Burns actively approached for constructive criticism of his work.
Punch bowl given to Alexander Cunningham by Jean Armour Burns
Kirkhope Kirk, Ettrickbridge.
The room in his home at Dumfries in which Robert Burns died
The Advertisement for the First Edinburgh Edition of 1787.