THE last letter from the "lost love" of Robert Burns is to be placed in his official museum tomorrow.

The letter, marking the final chapter of the doomed romance between Burns and Agnes McLehose, will join the collections of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway.

The National Trust for Scotland's museum is home to more than 5000 Burns-related artefacts, including personal objects, manuscripts and first editions.

It is from Agnes McLehose to John Syme, a friend of Burns. Sent in 1796, it asks for the return of letters Agnes – often known as Clarinda – sent to Burns during their romantic correspondence which lasted for seven years.

Purchased with the support of the National Fund for Acquisitions, the letter was bought at auction in Edinburgh for £7500.

Amy Miller, curator of the museum, said: "This is an exciting addition to the collection in Alloway.

"The museum already holds some of the correspondence between Burns and Agnes and this final letter brings this love story to a conclusion."

The letter will be prepared for public display and will be available to view later this year.

Along with the Auld Kirk and Brig o' Doon, the cottage where Burns was born, has been combined with the Burns Monument and the new museum building to form the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.