| East Mossgiel Farm | |
|---|---|
| The farmhouse in 2011 | |
Location in East Ayrshire | |
| Town/City | Mauchline |
| State | East Ayrshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°31′35″N4°23′38″W / 55.5263°N 4.394°W |
| Produces | Dairy products |
| Status | Open to the public |
East Mossgiel Farm (Mossgaville Farm or Mossgavel Farm in Old Scots) is a tenanted farm in Mauchline, East Ayrshire, Scotland. It was the home of Robert Burns between 1784 and 1788, and was where he composed many of his best-known works, [1] including "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough". [2] At the time, the farm consisted of 118 acres (48 ha), and Burns and his brother, Gilbert, rented the property from Gavin Hamilton upon the death of their father. [2] [3] [4]
While living there, Burns became acquainted with a group of girls collectively known as the Belles of Mauchline – one of whom, Jean Armour, was the daughter of a local stonemason. The two developed a relationship, and they were married in 1788. They had nine children, three of whom survived infancy. [5]
During Burns's time at the farmhouse, it was a single-storey But'n'Ben cottage containing three small rooms. It is a two-storey farmhouse today. [6]