This is a cookery book that belonged to Robert Burns' wife, Jean. She used it in their house in Dumfries. It is 200 years old.

• "The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy"
• 18th century, c1790
• Burns House, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
• This recipe book belonged to Robert Burns' wife, Jean. She used it in the family's home in Burns Street, Dumfries

This simple late 18th century recipe book belonged to Robert Burns' wife, Jean Armour Burns. She used it in the family's home in Burns Street, Dumfries, where Robert Burns spent the last three years of his brilliant life.

The family moved there in May 1793. Their standard of living was good and they employed a maidservant. Well wishers would often send game or country produce and occasionally a barrel of oysters.

The house had a parlour, kitchen, two bedrooms and even a small study where Burns could write. The kitchen had a sandstone flag floor, wall press and a fireplace range for cooking.

Jean Armour Burns is recorded as describing her husband's tastes thus, "At all meals he had a book beside him on the table. He was fond of plain things and hated tarts and puddings".

In the collection of Robert Burns House, Dumfries.