Lesley Baillie

[6] Mayville House in Schoolwell Street is described as an "exceptionally attractive and delightful little mansion", built around 1720 for Robert Baillie and named for his wife, May Reid.

[10] Lesley was buried in the graveyard of St John's on Princes Street, Edinburgh in one of the lower eastern terraces.

[1] Lesley's name was added in 1929 when the monument was re-erected on its present site by members of the Burns Federation after it had been derelict for over 50 years.

[11][12] Part of the inscription on the memorial to Maria Baillie reads: In yonder Cold and Silent Vault doth lie The modest partner that did ever die, Her form each beauty of her mind expressd Her mind was virtue by the Graces dressd The circumstances of Burns's association with Miss Baillie are related in a letter the poet wrote Mrs Dunlop from 'Annan Waterfoot' on 22 August 1792.

Over head and ears, deep as the most unfathomable abyss of the boundless ocean", Burns explained that Mr Baillie with his two daughters, Grace and Lesley, was passing through Dumfries on their way to England, and did him the honour of visiting him.

"[14] He never saw Lesley Baillie again, however he wrote to her from Dumfries in May 1793, enclosing "Blythe hae I been on yon hill", a song he had composed for her.

Lesley suggested that neither should be used and this resulted in an ideal compromise, namely "I'll remember thee, Glencairn, and a' that thou hast done for me.

His feelings towards Lesley Baillie are seen as a revealing comment on his ability to imagine himself in love with any woman on the slightest pretext.

Grave of Lesley Baillie, "Bonnie Lesley", St Johns, Edinburgh
The entrance to Mayville House.