Lesley Baillie

Lesley Baillie
Lesley Baillie's memorial
Born	6 March 1768 Mayfield House, Stevenston, Scotland
Died	19 July 1843 Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation	Housewife

Lesley Baillie (1768–1843), later Mrs Lesley Cumming, was born at Mayville, Stevenston, North Ayrshire. She was a daughter of Robert Baillie and married Robert Cumming of Logie, Morayshire, Scotland. Her lasting fame derives from being Robert Burns's 'Bonnie Lesley', "the most beautiful, elegant woman in the world". On her tombstone her name is given as Leslie Baillie.

The daughter of sea captain Robert Baillie of Mayfield, she married Robert Cumming of Logie, Morayshire in 1799. She had a sister named Maria (Grace) and her mother was May Reid. She was a grand-daughter of Anna Cunninghame and John Reid, second son of the minister of the parish, their daughter being her mother. Through her mother she was related to Sir Robert Cunninghame of Auchenharvie.

In 1799 Lesley married Robert Cumming of Logie, Morayshire. Lesley had six children of whom four sons died on army service in India. Her husband predeceased her by a good many years. Her character was much esteemed for her benevolence of character, kindness of disposition and agreeable manners.

Mayville House in Schoolwell Street is described as an "exceptionally attractive and delightful little mansion", built around 1720 for Robert Baillie and named for his wife, May Reid. The property became part of the Kerelaw Estate until sold by Mr James Campbell, a Saltcoats lawyer, in 1914. A Coal Merchant, John Alexander of Stevenston. It has pediments with urns and a sundial dated 1773.

Lesley Baillie was a descendant of the family who had owned the Orangefield estate John Dalrymple owned Orangefield in the time of Robert Burns. Lesley was buried in the graveyard of St John's on Princes Street, Edinburgh in one of the lower eastern terraces. Her sister Grace Baillie is buried with her.

"The owner of a pleasant spot
Near sandy wilds"

This memorial, was originally erected in 1784 by Robert Baillie as a memorial to his wife May Reid and his other daughter Grace (Maria), is nowadays located between Sinclair Street and Glencairn Street, near the site of Mayfield House in Stevenston. It was originally situated in an area known as the 'Monument Park' near Kerelaw Mains Farm. Lesley's name was added in 1929 when the monument was re-erected on its present site by members of the Burns Federation after it had been derelict for over 50 years. It is now maintained by North Ayrshire Council.