Gilbert Burns (farmer) in the context of Bolton, East Lothian

"To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest With the Plough, November, 1785" is a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns in 1785. It was included in the Kilmarnock Edition and all of the poet's later editions, such as the Edinburgh Edition. According to legend, Burns was ploughing in the fields at his Mossgiel Farm and accidentally destroyed a mouse's nest, which it needed to survive the winter. Burns's brother, Gilbert, claimed that the poet composed the poem while still holding his plough.

East Mossgiel Farm (Mossgaville Farm or Mossgavel Farm in Old Scots) is a tenanted farm in Mauchline, East Ayrshire, Scotland. It was the home of Robert Burns between 1784 and 1788, and was where he composed many of his best-known works, including "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough". At the time, it consisted of 118 acres (48 ha), and Burns and his brother, Gilbert, rented the property from Gavin Hamilton upon the death of their father.

While living there, Burns became acquainted with a group of girls collectively known as the Belles of Mauchline – one of whom, Jean Armour, was the daughter of a local stonemason. The two developed a relationship, and they were married in 1788. They had nine children, three of whom survived infancy.