Robert Burns Birthplace Museum set for Alloway in Ayrshire
£21m building celebrating Scottish poet opens Wed 1 Dec 2010
As part of the Robert Burns Heritage Park trail, a new museum dedicated to the Scottish poet and icon will be opened in the Ayrshire village of Alloway in December.
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will be opened on 1 December in Alloway, by Burns Cottage, where the poet was born. The museum also features Alloway Auld Kirk, the same place in which Burns' legendary poem 'Tam o' Shanter' was set, and where his father was buried. Improvements have also been carried out at Burns Monument and Brig o' Doon.
The aim of the museum is to 'safeguard the place of [Burns'] birth and preserve the Burns legacy for future generations'. The project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and donations from the public. It was carried out by the National Trust for Scotland, who were first approached to run it back in 2004. It has since been described as the 'most ambitious project the charity has ever undertaken' and aims to be a world class re-interpretation of the place where Burns was born. Education facilities will also play a major role in the museum.
The Heritage Park trail around Alloway Village in Ayr has been a spot of much tourism over the years and takes in Auld Kirk Alloway, the Brig O'Doon and Burns Cottage.
There will be an exhibition of Burns-themed paintings by local artist Peter Howson on display on the day of the opening, and works will be available to buy.
Price of admission to the museum will be £4 for adults, £2.50 for children and free for members. Family tickets will also be available for £10.