Allan Ramsay 
The Gentle Shepherd 
A Pastoral Comedy

Allan Ramsay’s ‘The Gentle Shepherd’ is a pastoral comedy written in the 18th century, portraying rural Scottish life and love. The play is written in Scots dialect, showcasing Ramsay’s literary skill and historical context of the period. The story follows the romance between a shepherd and a shepherdess, exploring themes of social class, love, and rural life. Ramsay’s use of rustic language and portrayal of everyday country folk gives the play an authentic and charming quality, making it a classic in Scottish literature. The gentle humor and endearing characters in the play provide both entertainment and insight into 18th-century Scottish society. Allan Ramsay, a Scottish poet and playwright, was known for his contributions to Scottish literature and his promotion of the Scots language. His background as a tavern keeper and publisher likely influenced his understanding and portrayal of everyday people, as seen in ‘The Gentle Shepherd’. I highly recommend ‘The Gentle Shepherd’ to readers interested in Scottish literature, pastoral comedies, and rural life in the 18th century.