Later history In the 1780s, the legendary Scottish poet Robert Burns was a frequent visitor to Sanquhar. When he was renovating a farm in 1788, he often passed through on the way back to his wife, Jean, in Ayrshire. Afterwards, he became a well-known face because of his excise duties. Burns called the town "Black Joan" in his ballad "Five Carlins" in which he represented the local burghs as characters. He would stay overnight at the Queensberry Arms in the High Street, making friends with the owner, bailie Edward Whigham and calling it "the only tolerable Inn in the place".
later history in the 1780s the legendary scottish poet robert burns was a frequent visitor to sanquhar when he was renovating a farm in 1788 he often passed through on the way back to his wife jean in ayrshire afterwards he became a well-known face because of his excise duties burns called the town "black joan" in his ballad "five carlins" in which he represented the local burghs as characters he would stay overnight at the queensberry arms in the high street making friends with the owner bailie edward whigham and calling it "the only tolerable inn in the place"