The Hermitage, Friars Carse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Hermitage |
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Robert Burns' Hermitage at the Friars Carse
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| Type | Hermitage Folly |
| Location | Auldgirth, Dumfries, Scotland UK grid reference NX9253884593 |
| Built | 18th century and rebuilt in 1874 |
| Built by | Robert Riddell, later rebuilt by Thomas Nelson |
| Owner | Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance Ltd. |
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Listed Building – Category B
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| Official name: Friars Carse Burns Hermitage | |
| Designated | 26 June 1986 |
| Reference no. | LB4233 |
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The Hermitage is a small, decorative building called a folly. It was first built by Captain Robert Riddell of Friars Carse in the 1700s. He loved old things and wanted a quiet place on his estate.
The Hermitage is famous because of its link to the poet Robert Burns. Burns was friends with Captain Riddell. Riddell let him use this peaceful, wooded spot to write his poems. Burns even carved lines of poetry onto a window pane here using a special pen. He did this after Captain Riddell passed away.
The first Hermitage building eventually fell apart. It was rebuilt in 1874. Later, in 2009, it was fixed up again to look its best.
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The Hermitage Building
Captain Robert Riddell built the first Hermitage. It was a small summer house in a quiet part of his estate, not far from Ellisland Farm. The building looked like a small, simple room where a medieval monk might live.
Robert Burns often used this peaceful building for writing. He had a key to a gate that led to it. He also spent time there with Riddell and sometimes even slept there. Riddell had written a medieval poem in 1790. He might have thought of the Hermitage as a "Bedesman's Cell." A bedesman was someone in old times who was paid to pray for others.
Captain Riddell died young in 1794. After his death, the Hermitage was not looked after. By 1803, farm animals were using it. An old drawing from 1805 shows it looked similar to today's building, but it had a thatched roof. Robert Burns had a disagreement with Riddell before his death. He secretly returned to carve lines on the window for his old friend.
In 1805, some repairs were made to the Hermitage. A bay tree was also planted nearby to remember Burns. But by 1810, it was falling apart again. A visitor was shocked that the building was not being cared for. The floor was covered in straw, and the special window pane with Burns's writing was gone. At that time, the building was about 10.5 feet by 8 feet. It had one window and a fireplace.
On an 1855 map, the Hermitage is shown near the Mains Burn. The map also shows paths and a bridge. Near the main drive, there was a statue, possibly of Robert Burns, and a seat. Around 1870, only part of the building's wall was still standing. The name 'BURNS' was carved above the doorway. A map from 1899 shows the rebuilt Hermitage, now with a roof.
Some old paintings suggest the first Hermitage was closer to the River Nith. This would mean the new building was built in a different spot. However, the 1855 map shows the "Burns Hermitage" in its current location.
The original building is gone. But Mr. Thomas Nelson built a new Hermitage on the same spot in 1874. This new building had a different design. It is now considered a "re-surfaced" building from around 1790. In 1879, a visitor said it had a statue of a monk inside. The building also had a chair and a small table. The Hermitage was restored again in 2009. It now has information boards and a guide to help visitors. The Hermitage is on the private grounds of Friars Carse Hotel. It is a special historic building, known as a Category B listed building.
Poetry at the Hermitage
Poems Written Here
By June 1788, Robert Burns had written a poem called "Verses in Friars' Carse Hermitage." A few months later, he added more to it. These poems helped make his friendship with Captain Riddell even stronger.
Burns's Window Carving
Burns carved these lines onto a window pane at the Hermitage to remember his friend Robert Riddell:
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Thou whom chance may hither lead, Life is but a day at most, |
The original window pane was saved. It is now at the Ellisland Farm Museum. A new owner of the property removed it. Later, in 1835, it was sold and bought for five guineas. The new Hermitage building also had these lines carved on its window. However, that window is now in the main mansion house. The Hermitage windows today do not have any carvings.
The second window of the 1874 building had this verse carved on it:
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To Riddel, much lamented man, |
At one time, Friars Carse held original handwritten poems by Burns, like The Whistle and Lines Written in the Hermitage. Also, the first volume of the Glenriddell Manuscripts was kept here. These were important books with Burns's notes about songs.
See also
- Robert Burns World Federation
- Burns Clubs
