Mentioned near the beginning of “Highland Mary,” the “castle o’ Montgomery” (Line 1) or Montgomery Castle provides the setting for Burns’s narrative. Originally known as Coilsfield House, Montgomery Castle was a real place near Tarbolton village in southern Ayrshire where Burns lived. It was here that Mary Campbell was working as a dairymaid when she first met Burns. Based on evidence found in letters between Burns’s acquaintances, many historians have speculated that, around the time she met Burns, Mary Campbell was having an affair with Captain James Montgomerie, who was living in Montgomery Castle, and that Burns knew about it (see “Burns’ Highland Mary” by Robert T. Fitzhugh in the Further Reading section). The mention of Montgomery Castle provides a sense of realism, but may also hint at something darker.

Even in the poem’s early, more cheerful stanzas, there is a pervasive feeling that a separation of the couple is imminent. Burns mentions “the last Fareweel” (Line 7) he took of Mary, and he speaks of her in the past tense even before revealing her death. He states, “For dear to me as light and life / Was my sweet Highland Mary” (Lines 15-16).