Robert Burns Ellisland Farm set to become visitor attraction

Ellisland Farm, a 170 acre site on the banks of the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway, was built by the poet in 1788 for his wife Jean Armour and their family.

It was there he wrote some of his most renowned works including Auld Lang Syne and Tam O’Shanter, as well as a large part of his creative output in music and song.

Now, the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust wants to develop the site as a visitor attraction, with plans to make the farmhouse into an “immersive space” where visitors can experience the couple’s domestic life.

There are plans to turn the farmhouse into an 'immersive' space where visitors can experience Burns domestic life (Image: PA)

The proposals also include plans for artistic residencies in the buildings, however, allowing a new generation of artists, musicians and writers to be inspired by the same landscape that Burns described as “sweet poetic ground”.

New accommodation will be modelled on the Hermitage, a tiny bothy on the neighbouring Friars Carse estate, where Burns would escape to write.

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.

A new visitor centre will be built at the site - which lies outside the village of Auldgirth - with a cafe and an exhibition space where various items and artefacts from Ellisland’s collection will go on show, including manuscripts and some of Burns’ possessions, such as his books, flute and fishing rod.

The vision for the site has been drawn up by the Trust, together with consultants Delfinity Ltd, OCA Architects, HarrisonStevens landscape architects, Lindsey Clark Heritage Consultants and Jenny Hunter, a specialist in community arts engagement and education.

The plans go on display to the public from today, with a community drop-in event taking place, with a digital campaign being funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community Led Vision Fund.

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Dr David Hopes, acting chair of the Trust and a former director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, 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 bio-diversity and enhancing accessibility.

"There will be opportunities to do that working with partners in the community.

“Ellisland’s 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."

Joan McAlpine, business development manager of the Trust, said as an independent charity it had pursued ‘Conservation through Use’ so that Ellisland could be financially sustainable.

She said: “These proposals will bring Ellisland alive by enabling new generations to be inspired as Burns was inspired by what he called the “sweet poetic ground” on the Banks of the Nith.

“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.

“Since our charity took over the site, we have built on the “intangible cultural heritage” opportunities offered by Ellisland, with traditional youth concerts, Scottish Halloween and Hogmanay celebrations and workshops on everything from butter-making to Scots Language.

“To do this sustainably and to reach more people we must improve our facilities and create new income streams.”