Highland Mary was from Dunoon. Mary and Burns were to meet in Tarbolton Church and fall in love. Burns asked Mary to marry him but needed release from his promise to Jean.

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So Burns and Mary betrothed their love under a running stream. Afterwards Burns arranged for Mary who was pregnant to return home to her parents until he sorted things out. Burns continued to write to Mary.

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However Mary had caught malignant fever and had given birth prematurely. Both Mary and their baby died. Her death affected Burns hugely. A statue of Highland Mary stands in Dunoon today facing longingly towards Alloway.

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Burns tale with Highland Mary was to be a tragic one, complicated with his love also for Jean Armour. But he was never to forget his other love ...