The Hermitage was a

folly In architecture, a folly is a building constructed primarily for decoration, but suggesting through its appearance some other purpose, or of such extravagant appearance that it transcends the range of usual garden buildings. Eighteenth-cent ...

first built by Captain

Robert Riddell Captain Robert Riddell (1755–1794), Laird of Friar's Carse, near Dumfries. A friend of Robert Burns, who made him a collection of his poems which later became famous, and wrote a poem 'Sonnet On The Death Of Robert Riddell' in memory of him ...

Friars Carse Friars' Carse is a mansion house and estate situated (NX 926 850) southeast of Auldgirth on the main road (A76) to Dumfries, Parish of Dunscore, Scotland. The property is located on the west bank of the River Nith and is known for its strong a ...

(known as Glenriddell at this time and later returned to its ancient name) as part of his enthusiasm for antiquities. It is famous for its connection with the bard

Robert Burns Robert Burns (25 January 175921 July 1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who hav ...

who through his friendship with Riddell was permitted to use it to compose poetry in this secluded and tranquil

sylvan Sylvan or Sylvans (from the Latin ''silva'': "forest, woods") may refer to: Places United States * Sylvan, Illinois, a former settlement * Sylvan, Wisconsin, a town ** Sylvan (community), Wisconsin, an unincorporated area in the town * Sylvan ...

spot. Burns also used his diamond point pen to engrave lines on the window pane at the Hermitage following the premature death of Riddell. The original Hermitage fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in 1874. It was further restored to its former glory more recently (2009).

The building

Captain

of Glenriddell had built a small

summer house A summer house or summerhouse has traditionally referred to a building or shelter used for relaxation in warm weather. This would often take the form of a small, roofed building on the grounds of a larger one, but could also be built in a garden ...

, an ''"ivied cot"''Douglas, Page 324

called the 'Hermitage' in the Crow Wood, a secluded part of the estate, just a few fields away from Ellisland. The building was constructed in the mode of a medieval anchorites cell.Mackay, Page 433 Burns often used the building in this idyllic setting for writing poetry, having been given the key to the gate set in the Ellisland march-dyke and probably also enjoying drinking sessions here with RiddellHall, Page 169 as well as occasionally sleeping here. Riddell had written a medieval ballad in Middle Scots in 1790 ''Bedesman on Nydsyde'' and may have seen the Hermitage as a ''Bedesman's Cell.'' A bedesman was a person in medieval times who was paid to pray for the soul of others. Riddell died on the 20 April 1794 at the early age of only 39 and the Hermitage was allowed to quietly decay; by 1803 it was being used by stray stock. Its appearance in 1805 was similar to its present design minus the crow steps on the gable ends and the roof is thatched. Robert Burns's friendship with Riddell had ceased in December 1793 after an incident at Friars Carse and he had to secretly return to engrave lines to his old friend on the window. In 1805 however it is recorded that Dr Smith RN of Friars' Carse had made some repairs to the hermitage and in addition a bay tree had recently been planted nearby in Burns's memory. In 1810 it was reported by

Robert Hartley Cromek Robert Hartley Cromek (1770–1812) was an English engraver, editor, art dealer and entrepreneur who was most active in the early nineteenth century. He is best known for having allegedly cheated William Blake out of the potential profits of his e ...

as being derelict again. He expressed his shock that the site was not being maintained under Captain Smith's ownership of the estate, for the floor was covered in straw, cattle had broken down the trees and the inscribed pane of glass had gone.Mackay, Page 106 At that time it measured 10.5 feet by eight and had a single window and fireplace.Groome, Page 622 The apparently roofless Hermitage lies close to the Mains Burn on the 1855 OS map and it also records a network of paths, a bridge across the Mains Burn and at the main drive junction is marked a statue of an unknown personage (speculation suggests Robert Burns) and a seat. In around 1870 William Douglas recorded that the only part of the building still standing was part of the east gable. Over the lintel was cut the name 'BURNS' in bold letters. The circa 1899 OS map however appears to shows the rebuilt Hermitage, now roofed and sitting in an enclosure. The seat and statue on the drive are no longer evident.Dumfriesshire, Sheet 041.09 Publication date: 1900. Revised: ca. 1899
/ref> A watercolour of the original Hermitage purports to show it situated very close to the

River Nith The River Nith ( gd, Abhainn Nid; Common Brittonic: ''Nowios'') is a river in south-west Scotland. The Nith rises in the Carsphairn hills of East Ayrshire, more precisely between Prickeny Hill and Enoch Hill, east of Dalmellington. For the ma ...

and therefore some distance from the present day building, suggesting that the new 'Hermitage' was built in a different location, however the 1855 OS map records the 'Burns Hermitage' in its present position.Dumfries Sheet XLI.9 (Dunscore) Survey date: 1855. Publication date: 1861
Although the original building no longer exists, Mr Thomas Nelson of Friars Carse built another 'Hermitage', of a different design, on the same site in 1874. The British Listed Building register sees it as a 're-surfaced' building of circa 1790. Adamson visited it in 1879 and records that it contained ''the rigid form of a monk, with shaven crown, chipped nose, and folded hands, lying on its back at the entrance.'' The building otherwise only contained a chair and a small table. The building was recently (2009) restored again and now has an interpretation board detailing its history and a trail guide indicates its location. The Hermitage lies within the private grounds of Friars Carse Hotel. It is a Category B

listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building or listed structure is one that has been placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, Historic Environment Scotland in Scotland, in Wales, and the Northern Irel ...

Poetry

Composed at the Hermitage

By 28 June 1788 Robert Burns had written ''"Verses in Friars' Carse Hermitage"'' and a few months later he expanded upon these, all of which helped to cement his friendship with his host.

Robert Burns' diamond point engraving

Burns engraved the following lines on the Hermitage window pane to the memory of his friend Robert Riddell: The original pane was preserved and is now in the

Ellisland Farm Ellisland Farm lies about 6.5 mi/10.4 km northwest of Dumfries near the village of Auldgirth, located in the Parish of Dunscore, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The complex is a museum in the farm Robert Burns built, lived in a ...

Museum, having been removed by a new owner of the property and in time coming up for sale at the death of an old lady in 1835 and being purchased for five guineas.Adamson, Page 231 The new building's window had the same lines inscribed upon it, however they are now in the mansion house and the Hermitage's windows now have no inscription. The second window of the 1874 building had the following verse inscribed upon it.Adamson, Page 231 Friars Carse at one time held the original Burns manuscripts of ''The Whistle'' and ''Lines Written in the Hermitage.''Bremner, Page 19 In addition the first volume of the

Glenriddell Manuscripts The ''Glenriddell Manuscripts'' is an extensive collection written in holograph by Robert Burns and an amanuensis of his letters, poems and a few songs in two volumes produced for his then friend Captain Robert Riddell, Laird of what is now Fr ...

and volumes of

James Johnson James Johnson may refer to: Artists, actors, authors, and musicians *James Austin Johnson (born 1989), American comedian & actor, ''Saturday Night Live'' cast member *James B. Johnson (born 1944), author of science nonfiction novels *James P. John ...

The Scots Musical Museum The ''Scots Musical Museum'' was an influential collection of traditional folk music of Scotland published from 1787 to 1803. While it was not the first collection of Scottish folk songs and music, the six volumes with 100 songs in each collected ...

with interleaved pages carrying Burns's explanatory comments on the songs were kept here at one time.

The building

Poetry

Composed at the Hermitage

Robert Burns' diamond point engraving

See also