Around 1767, Donnchadh Bàn Macintyre, then in his mid-40s, arrived in Edinburgh to take up a position in the Edinburgh Town Guard and settled in the city for the rest of his long life.  A leading Gaelic poet, in 1768 the first edition of his poetry was printed, to be followed by two more.  A considerable achievement, as Donnchadh Bàn was largely non-literate.  Celebrated especially for his nature poetry, Donnchadh Bàn’s range of verse also includes praise poetry to aristocratic patrons and to humbler characters.  The aftermath of the last Jacobite Rising occasioned some political comment although generally this element is relatively muted.  There are humorous songs that poke fun at his own mishaps and the misadventures of others as well as a few satires targeted at people who annoyed the poet.  He also tried his hand at competition poetry in praise of Gaelic and the music of the pipes.  The poet died in 1812 and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard where he is commemorated by a fine monument.