Frederic Chopin came to Edinburgh on 5 August, 1848. The visit was a result of the pianist’s meeting with Jane Sterling, from a famous Scottish family. In 1926 Jane together with her sister went to Paris where they engaged in the social life of Paris quite fast. Both of the ladies got to know Chopin in 1840. only two years later Ms Jane became Chopin's adept.

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In exchange for the good will the woman showed, Chopin dedicated his two nocturnals 55 to her. 

Chopin headed for London in 1848. he was immediately accepted into the spheres of the local elite. Due to a significant number of women surrounding him, he not only was admired but also his financial position improved.

With time, though, due to a lack of perspectives for new concerts or private piano lessons, he set off to Edinburgh acting on the invitation by his brother-in-law Jane Torphichen. As the means of transport, he chose the train.

He stopped by at Douglas Hotel, in the St Andrew Square. Despite the discomforts of the journey, he managed to sightsee around the city. Among others, he saw the monument of Sir Walter Scott at the Prince Street Gardens.

Sir Torphichen welcomed Chopin with great joy, in the old traditional Scottish way. He was even trying to convince him to stay for the whole summer and start a journey back home the following year.

Chopin spoke only French and Polish. Despite the fact he was exposed to the English language a lot, he never managed to acquire it in a satisfactory way. Due to the fact he was not much interested in sports, hated the cigar smoke and drink a little, those long evenings around the table soon started to be boring and monotonous for him.

Chopin liked playing old traditional Scottish numbers, and liked to spend time with the host, due to the fact there were no frequent guests in the house.

When he was still in Scotland, he got to know a doctor of Polish decent, dr. Adam Leszczyński. dr. Leszczyński invited Chopin over to his Edinburgh apartment as he didn't like the state of health of Chopin. Tuberculosis was advancing causing Chopin to have more and more problems with breathing. Chopin was glad to accept Leszczyński's invitation.

In the meantime James Broadwood organized a concert in Manchester. Thanks to his treatment and medical care offered by Leszczyński, Chopin got to Manchester after an eight-hour-long train journey.

Another concert took place in Glasgow and was organized by Muire Wood. He organized the concert in  Johnstone Castle which he thought was a perfect place for such an event. What is more, there were many other parties organized in the castle.

As Chopin's health condition deteriorated, he preferred to stay with the children or the elderly instead of the occasional shooting session or fishing. As the weather was turning cold, which prevented Chopin from walking, he started to feel boredom finding its way into his life. The evenings began to turn unbearable. As he once wrote in a letter to his close friend Albert Grzymała, he said he had to sit around a table, with two men for two hours, listening to them drinking, bored to tears.

Probably at the same time Chopin visited Glentyan House, which belonged to the brother of Jane 's, captain James Sterling. he also spent a week in Strachur House, together with Mr and Mrs Murrey. Fresh seafood, hering and some wild meat was frequently placed on the table, together with some bordo wine imported by Mrs Murrey.

After Chopin got back to dr. Leszczyński, he learned of the visit of Marcelina Czartoryska with her husband Aleksander in Edinburgh. As he didn't want to miss another opportunity to see the Czartoryscy Family again, he took a train to go and visit with them. He later wrote, :Marcelina is a sole angel of goodness as much as she was last year.” „Their Polish influence revitalized me greatly. After a few days, he went back to Johnstone Castle to get prepared for the Glasgow concert. 

The concert hall in Manchester was packed with people. There were many representatives of aristocracy and Chopin's friends who came to offer their support on that special day. Among the guests were: dr Leszczyński, Mr and Mrs Murrey, the Czartoryscy family and the Sterlings. The concert met with a great deal of respect on the part of the audience as well as a severe criticism from the press commentators. After the concert there was a buffet party in the aforementioned Johnstone Castle. .

 Three days later Chopin arrived in Keir Mouse, to the residence of Jane’s cousin – Sir William Sterling. “Everywhere I go, I am surrounded by people’s kindness and friendliness,’ wrote Chopin. ‘I have the opportunity to see amazing grand pianos, beautiful photographs and libraries rich in books. Here, we as well have hunting, dogs, and endless parties.’

On October 4 Chopin gave a concert in Hopetoun Hall in Edinburgh.

Being constantly surrounded by women Chopin wrote: ‘My Scottish ladies are very nice, so boring though. God, help me!’ Humid climate in Scotland causes a deterioration of his health condition. This was the reason for his coming back to dr. Leszczynski’s house.

In the last months of his life Chopin became unbearable. He was always dissatisfied, and complained about everything. He was disconcerted by the news of his marriage with Jane. He responded, ‘I’m closer to the grave than to the marriage.’

On his being in Scotland, Chopin did not write anything, any musical number. He wrote, ‘where is my music? Is it not here? Where did I lose my heart? I can hardy remember how they sing in Poland. I am getting lost. I feel that I am losing power. Why did God not kill me in an instant, instead of killing me slowly, inch after inch?’

Chopin left Scotland for London on 31 October where he was to give a concert in Gild Hall. The concert was to take place on 16 November.

The pianist died due to severe tuberculosis on 17 October 1849, in Paris. He was buried in a cemetery called Pere Lachaise, in the capital of France. 

In 1948 there was a plaque installed on the facade of Polish Society Institute in Edinburgh. The plaque commemorates Chopin’s 100^th anniversary of his visitation in Scotland.