A WRITER in the “Ayrshire Post” is responsible for the following anecdote, which he states was received by him from a Mr. James Murdoch of Drumwhirn, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. Burns was on a visit to Lord Kenmure at Kenmure Castle, and having passed the night there set out the next day on a journey to Gatehouse. It was “the wettest day that ever poured from the heavens,” according to Mr. Murdoch’s account; and when only two miles on his journey, Burns met with two clergymen who could not get across a foaming torrent which had been formed on the highway and rendered it utterly impassable. The author of “The Kirk’s Alarm” kindly carried both of them across the stream, and deposited them safely on the farther side. “This,” says Mr. Murdoch, “was the only time ever Burns was priest-ridden.”
Burns Priest-ridden for Once, p.73.
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