“Brig o’ Doon” is the third in a series of Scottish Rambles based on stories and photos from daughter Alyssa who is spending a year in Scotland. Our previous viewing (Scottish Ramble #2) was called “Ye’ll Take the High Road.” Our new one comes from Alyssa’s recent visit to the Robert Burns homeplace and the river Doon, a visit made on the poet’s birthday, January 25. Burns’ “Tam o’ Shanter” famously narrates Tam’s drunken night ride over the “Brig” while being chased by witches. The eight pictures are selected from Alyssa’s photo essay “Rabbie Burns’ Birthday.”
The Robert Burns Cottage & Museum, Alloway, South Ayrshire, Scotland.
Brig o’ Doon, the late medieval bridge over the River Doon is the scene for “Tam o’ Shanter” (1790), Burns’ dramatic narrative in which the horseback riding Tam is chased by witches and warlocks in the dead of night. Reaching the mid-point of the bridge and river, beyond which demons, traditionally speaking, were not able to go, Tam was saved by a hair. The tail of his horse broke off in a witch’s hand.
A small monkey puzzle tree stands beside the Doon. Incidently, this southeastern river has a good run of Atlantic salmon most falls, and its headwaters are said to have grayling, as well.
A view from the old bridge to the modern Brig o’ Doon and the Burns Memorial.
The high single-arched bridge near Alloway. A note for anglers: If harassed by demons, you may not be anywhere near a bridge like this, but if you can cross the middle of the stream in time, you should be able to make it home before the break of day.
The Burns Memorial. Scotland knows how to honor its wordsmiths!
Alyssa with the Wee Mousie… In “To a Mouse,” Burns not only penned his ”best laid plans of mice and men” philosophy, but included… I’m truly sorry Man’s dominion/ Has broken Nature’s social union,/ An’ justifies that ill opinion,/ Which makes thee startle,/ At me, thy poor, Earth-born companion,/ An’ fellow mortal!…
And lastly, the images of bird and tree here seem to help frame a dark but wonderful scene out of “Tam o’ Shanter.”
Wonderful!
Thank you Howard!
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Mr. Franklin, I enjoy reading your blog every chance I get. You do have a way with words that escapes me! Your pictures are absolutely great whether they be scenery, a fly or a beautiful little fish you have fooled. Greetings from New Mexico, hope your new year finds you doing well.
Thanks so much for the compliments, Antonio, they make my day. On cold days like this, NM shines brightly in imagination, and I look forward to visiting again some day. I hope things are going well with you, and look forward to hearing how your fishing and other aspirations develop this year.
Ditto, Mr. Gallegos. I think ol’ Robby would appreciate ye very much!
Thanks to ye, Mr. Jim o’ Outdoorsdownsouth!
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