Robert Burns and the Glenriddell Manuscripts

Schedule

Thu Jan 22 2026 at 05:30 pm to 06:30 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

National Library of Scotland | Edinburgh, SC

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Curator Ralph McLean explores Robert Burns’ Glennriddell Manuscripts, which contain one of the greatest collections of the Bard's work.
About this Event

Discover the incredible story of the Glenriddell Manuscripts - the biggest collection of Robert Burns’ original writings in the world.

This unique collection includes poems, songs, and letters that Burns himself gave to his friend, Robert Riddell. It contains original versions of famous works including ‘Holy Willie’s Prayer’ and ‘Tam o’ Shanter’.

Manuscripts Curator Ralph McLean explores the manuscripts’ colourful history. Learn how they passed through various hands before becoming a founding item of the National Library of Scotland. This talk will also reveal their fascinating connection to another major treasure - Burns’ First Commonplace Book.



About the speaker

Ralph McLean is Manuscripts Curator for the National Library of Scotland’s long 18th century collections. His remit covers 18th century literary manuscripts including those of Robert Burns.




When you book an event, your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and our third-party suppliers for the purposes of allowing you to attend the event and for audience research. For more information, visit the National Library of Scotland privacy pages, in particular the events notice and feedback and complaints notice. We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members.

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Where is it happening?

National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

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