As a writer, I’m influenced by the work of many other writers whom I admire. And as a Scottish author, one of the strongest influences on my love of the written word is Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. And today sees the annual commemoration of Burns work in Burns Night celebrations not just in cotland but all over the world where Scots or Scotophiles live. I enjoyed this post from the blog of the Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Centre. I hope you do too. I’d never seen the two poems they mention, but how poignant they are. And of course they have particular resonance and relevance for me as regards the subject matter of ‘The Silver Locket’.