THIS year marked the 250th anniversary of the death, on July 6 1767, of the Kinnesswood-born Michael Bruce, affectionately known as The Gentle Poet of Loch Leven.
The son of a hand loom weaver, Michael gave early promise of exceptional literary talent. Had he lived beyond the young age of 21, there is no doubt that the full flowering of his poetic talents would have led to national recognition. Robert Burns was influenced by a number of his lines.
In his short life, Michael Bruce wrote more than 40 poems, the most famous being his Ode to the Cuckoo. He also composed 12 Scottish Paraphrases (or Gospel Sonnets), among them, O God of Bethel! By whose hand; Behold! The mountain of the Lord; and Where high the heav’nly temple stands.