A charity has revealed its plans to save a barn built by the Scottish poet Robert Burns where he wrote some of his most famous works, including Auld Lang Syne.
Ellisland Farm, on the banks of the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway, was built by Burns in 1788 for his wife, Jean Armour, and their family, and it was where wrote pieces such as Auld Lang Syne and Tam O’Shanter.
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust has revealed plans to turn the site into a visitor attraction, with the farmhouse becoming an “immersive space” where visitors can experience the couple’s domestic life.
The proposals, published on Monday, also include artistic residencies in the buildings, which the charity said would allow a new generation of artists, musicians and writers to be inspired by the same landscape that Burns described as “sweet poetic ground”.
Accommodation would be modelled on the Hermitage, a tiny bothy on the neighbouring Friars Carse estate, where Burns would escape to write, the trust said.
Dr David Hopes, the acting chair of the trust, said: “Ellisland is the place to fall in love with Burns and see nature through the poet’s eyes. These plans mean we will preserve and enhance the landscape which inspired Burns by improving biodiversity and enhancing accessibility. There will be opportunities to do that working with partners in the community.”
The proposals are based on the principle of “conservation through use”, with money raised from visitors and creative retreats used to subsidise community, heritage and educational events.
The trust also plans to create an exhibition space where various items and artefacts from Ellisland’s collection will go on display, including manuscripts and some of Burns’ possessions, such as his books, flute and fishing rod.
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Hopes said the Ellisland conservation management plan, funded by Historic Environment Scotland and published last year, identified the site as being of “exceptional significance” but said it was at risk unless extensive repairs were carried out.
“These plans will save the buildings by conserving them through use, safeguard the important collection and allow many more people to enjoy the site and benefit from it,” he said.
Joan McAlpine, the business development manager at the trust, said: “We believe people will want to come from all over the world to immerse themselves in the landscape which inspired Auld Lang Syne, Ye Banks and Braes, John Anderson and many more songs.”
