HISTORIC letters by Robert Burns dating back to 1787 are to feature in the first hi-tech blog about the bard.

HISTORIC letters by Robert Burns dating back to 1787 are to feature in the first hi-tech blog about the bard.

The letters, which can be found at www.burnsletters.wordpress.com, reveal many sides to the poet's character as he writes to friends, colleagues, literary magazines and other companions he encountered throughout his colourful life.

More than 90 letters will appear online on the dates they were originally written. And visitors to the site will be able to leave their thoughts and comments underneath each newly added letter.

The documents have been given a digital platform by the National Trust for Scotland as it begins work on a new Ayrshire museum to celebrate the bard's life.

Fresh content will be placed online regularly, until the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum opens in Alloway in July 2010.

People will also be urged to donate cash to help raise the last £4million needed to complete the £21m attraction, which will be the Trust's largest project.

Shonaig Macpherson, chairwoman of the National Trust for Scotland, said: "Placing Burns' letters online will give people another fascinating insight into his work and his viewpoint of the times he lived in.

"We see many sides of Burns in his letters. The great love poet can seem cold in his correspondence with friend Robert Ainslie but is flowery in his love letters to Agnes McLehose - codename Clarinda'."