Robert Riddell facts for kids

Captain Robert Riddell (1755–1794) was a Scottish gentleman and a friend of the famous poet Robert Burns. He lived at Friar's Carse, a beautiful estate near Dumfries. Burns even created a special collection of his poems for Riddell, which later became very well known. When Captain Riddell passed away, Robert Burns wrote a poem called 'Sonnet On The Death Of Robert Riddell' to remember him.

The Glenriddell Manuscripts: A Special Collection

The Glenriddell Manuscripts are a very important collection of writings by Robert Burns. These were put together especially for Captain Robert Riddell between 1791 and 1793. There were two main parts to this collection. One part had more than 50 poems written in Burns's own handwriting. The other part contained 27 letters that Burns had written.

The friendship between Robert Burns and the Riddell family ended in December 1793. This happened after a difficult event at Friar's Carse, Captain Riddell's home. Burns later asked for the poetry volume back, and he received it. The second volume of letters had not yet been finished. Today, the Glenriddell Manuscripts are kept safe at the National Library of Scotland.

The Interleaved Scots Musical Museum: Music and Notes

Robert Burns also prepared another special collection for Captain Robert Riddell. This was called the Interleaved Scots Musical Museum. It was made up of four books from James Johnson's collection of Scottish songs. Burns added his own personal notes and thoughts into these books.

A Collection of Scotch, Galwegian and Border Tunes

Captain Riddell was also a talented musician and collector of music. He wrote a book called "A Collection of Scotch, Galwegian and Border Tunes." This book was published after he died. It contains many musical pieces, mostly from the western border areas of Scotland.

Even though the book says the music is for the violin and piano, many of the tunes sound like they were meant for a special instrument called the Border pipes. These pipes have a unique sound and a specific range of notes. Riddell explained that he gathered these tunes from different parts of Scotland and the Borders. He often wrote them down as people played them, especially from musicians who couldn't read or write music themselves.

Some of the tunes in Riddell's collection are similar to those found in the Peacock collection, which features music for Northumbrian smallpipes. For example, Peacock's "I saw my love come passing by me" is very similar to Riddell's "The Drunken Wives of Carlisle," with only small changes. Other tunes, like "Cut and Dry Dolly," are quite different in how they are played, even if they share some parts.

These collections show how music was shared and changed between different regions and instruments in Scotland long ago.

See also

• Ellisland Farm, Dumfries