Adieu. ROBT. BURNS" The 'interesting passage of youth' alluded to by Burns is the figure of 'Highland' Mary Campbell (1763-1786), about whose romantic relationship with the Bard much is speculated.

It was on this day in 1786, that Burns and Margaret Campbell, 'Highland Mary', were said to have parted. She was to die soon after. The poet had probably had a marriage proposal accepted by her ...

At the very same time he was holding out exactly the same prospects to his Lowland love, Nancy McLehose. Burns jilted 'Highland Mary'; 'Clarinda' rejected him. He married Jean Armour.