NEW CUMNOCK
© Robert Guthrie
ROBERT BURNS
The Burns Trail :
Ashmark
ROBERT BURNS
Ashmark
Robert Burns is said to have written 'Sweet Afton' following a visit to see his friend John Logan at his home in Laight overlooking the Afton Water. Speculation that another Afton Water or indeed the River Ayr was the intended subject of his great work has been dispelled ever since the discovery of Burns' letter to his patron Mrs Dunlop in which he wrote
'There is a small river, Afton, that falls into the Nith, near New Cumnock, which has some charming, wild, romantic scenery on its banks'.
However, speculation over the identity of Mary, his sleeping beauty in 'Sweet Afton' continues to this day. A number of candidates have been put forward including Burns' sweetheart Highland Mary (Mary Campbell) proposed by Gilbert Burns, the bard's brother. It is perhaps the source of this claim and the high profile of Burns' affections for Highland Mary that adds most weight to this proposal. For there is little other reason to place this Mary in the green braes of the Afton Water.
Mary Murdoch, daughter of John Murdoch of Ashmark has emerged as the local candidate in Burns' folk-lore. She was a maid at Laight, the home of her cousin Martha McAdam and her husband John Logan. Martha's father, Captain Gilbert McAdam had owned a number of properties in New Cumnock, including Laight and Ashmark until misfortune struck in 1781, at which time these properties were acquired by his son-in-law John Logan.
Verse 1
FLOW gently, sweet Afton! among thy green braes,
Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise;
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream,
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.
