Celebrated Scottish poet's 239-year-old manuscript on display in Dunedin

By Radio NZ | Posted: Monday Jan 26, 2026

A portion of a 239-year-old manuscript used by the celebrated Scottish poet Robert Burns has gone on display in Dunedin.

The framed letter dated August 22, 1787 was believed to have been written by the poet in Edinburgh before he departed for the Highlands.

The 18th century bard was widely regarded "the national poet of Scotland".

The year of the manuscript was when Burns reached the peak of his initial fame, following the huge success of the Second Edition, also known as the Edinburgh Edition, of his poems.

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